CRAVEN College Old Boys will play in division one of the Craven and District Football League next season having agreed a ground-sharing deal with Skipton Town.

Member clubs unanimously rejected the Old Boys' initial bid to join the league because they wanted to play home matches on the all-weather surface at Sandylands.

The new team were told they would be accepted into the league if they could find a grass pitch. Skipton Town are able to accommodate the Old Boys because their reserve team has disbanded. The two clubs came to a one-year ground-sharing agreement at a meeting last Thursday.

Clubs voted against the Sandylands proposal at last month's league AGM because they thought the Old Boys' familiarity with the surface would give them an unfair advantage.

The Old Boys, who have agreed a kit sponsorship deal with Craven College, are likely to be one of the fancied teams next season.They will be largely made up of former students who used to play for the Craven College team. Some players have had experience at top local clubs including Bradford Park Avenue and Silsden.

Of the other new teams to join the league next season, Long Lee Druids have been put into division two, while Silsden White Star, Long Lee Junior Reserves and Pendle Renegades will play in division three.

Silsden White Star were absent at last month's AGM as they got their dates mixed up, but have since been accepted into the league.

The make-up of each division is as follows: Premier Division: Bronte Wanderers, Carleton, Cononley Sports, Embsay, Gargrave, Grassington United, Grindleton, Oxenhope Rec, Skipton Bulldogs, Skipton LMS, Waddington, WFC Clitheroe.

Division One: Bradley, Barrowford United, Cross Hills, Embsay Res, Hellifield Sports, Intake, Oxenhope Rec Res, Rolls Royce, Skipton LMS Res, Skipton Town, Clitheroe Lions, Silsden AFC 2004, Craven College Old Boys.

Division Two: Cononley Sports Res, Earby Town, Gargrave Res, Grindleton Res, Intake Res, Mcbrides, Pendle Athletic, Cowling, Horton, Long Lee Juniors, Rolls Royce Res, Long Lee Druids.

Division Three: Barnoldswick Barons, Carleton Res, Cowling Res, Earby FC, Hellifield Sports Res, Ingleton, Skipton Bulldogs Res, Waddington Res, Silsden Whitestar, Pendle Renegades, Long Lee Juniors Res, Bradley Res, Grassington United Res.

Note that one other team may be added to the list.