ESH SECURE REPRIEVE

ESH WINNING BEAT DROP FROM NORTHERN LEAGUE AS FA MAKE THE BIG DECISIONS

Jarrow’s promotion to the Ebac Northern League as Wearside League champions – has been confirmed.

Esh Winning, meanwhile, have been reprieved from relegation out of Division Two, despite finishing in bottom spot.

Esh can now prepare for another Northern League season, with friendlies arrnaged against Birtley Town (July 1), Ashington (July 7), Consett (July 11), Gateshead Rutherford (July 19(, Sunderland RCA (July 26) and Killingworth (July 29).

The FA announced their decision about promotion and relegation on Saturday, leading to a 21-team First Division in 2017-18 and 22 teams in the second tier.

The FA decided that the three bottom clubs in Division One – West Allotment Celtic, Chester-le-Street Town and Guisborough Town – should all be relegated. Champions South Shields are promoted to EvoStik League.

Stockton Town, Team Northumbria and Billingham Synthonia have all been promoted from the Second Division.

League chairman Glenn Youngman said: “We made representations to the FA that our First Division should stay with 22 teams and that the Second Division should move to 21 teams.

“We’re disappointed that the FA has decided not to accept our proposal but ultimately it’s their decision.”

Morpeth Town midfielder Ben Sayer has been unveiled as the Ebac Northern League Player of the Season, with Shildon’s Lewis Wing taking the Bob Moreland Young Player of the Year prize.

South Shields’ joint bosses, Lee Picton and Graham Fenton, were awarded the League Manager of the Year prize after an historic quadruple, including the FA Vase.

Shields’ club secretary, Philip Reay, won the Arthur Clark Memorial Trophy, which is given to the person who has done most to represent the values of the league.

Billingham Town chairman Peter Martin was named as the league’s Unsung Hero for his unstinting work at the club.

More than £20,000 in prize money was handed out to clubs and individuals at the ceremony at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham. Cash prizes include: Division One winners:

South Shields (£2,000) Division Two winners: Stockton Town (£1,200) Camerons Brewery Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup winners: South Shields ((£500) Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup winners: Northallerton Town (£300) Division One Fair Play

Award winners: Chesterle-Street (£800) Division Two Fair Play Award winners: Stockton Town (£800) Division One Respect Award winners: Whitley Bay (£300) Division Two Respect Award joint winners: Billingham Synthonia and Billingham Town (£300 each) Administration Awards (£300) for completing the season without incurring an administrative penalty: Ashington, North Shields, Ryhope CW, West Allotment Celtic, Whitley Bay, Billingham Synthonia, Brandon United, Crook Town, Northallerton Town and Tow Law Town