FIRST STEP IS TAKEN IN BIDDING TO RUN A NEW LEAGUE IN THE NORTH EAST

THE Ebac Northern League has announced it will apply to run a new league within the National League system.

The non-league pyramid is undergoing a restructure and a new Step Four division is to be introduced ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The new division will run at the same level as the current Evo-Stik NPL East, which is led by former Northern League club Morpeth Town. The Football Association have invited leagues around the country to express an interest in running the new league by Friday.

There had been speculation the Northern League would do so and a statement last night confirmed an application was to be made.

It read: “The Ebac Northern League today confirmed it will apply to run a new step-four league as part of the revised National League System.

“The Football Association intends to set up a new Step Four league to be running for the 2020-21 season.

“The FA asked leagues to lodge an “expression of interest” with them by March 1.

“The league has formally expressed their interest in running the new league.”

The new league was among several issues discussed in a meeting between Northern League officials and two members of the National League System committee, which took place at Consett in mid-January.

Northern League chairman Glenn Youngman spoke of his confidence in the league’s ability to run the new league, saying: “We believe we will be able to run a well-managed, competitive league at Step Four.

“We will be submitting a strong, robust application to be considered by the governing body.”