AT the Northern Alliance's 119th annual general meeting it was agreed that the league would kick off the new season with 49 clubs — 17 in the Premier Division and 16 in each of the First and Second Divisions.
Only one club, Peterlee Town, was relegated from the Premier Division with two teams, Killingworth YPC Sporting and Stocksfield, promoted to the top flight.
No clubs were relegated from the First Division which has been brought back up to strength
by the promotion of Amble United and South Shields United.
Newcomers Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet and Swalwell filled the three vacancies in the Second Division.
Three member clubs notified changes in their names for the new campaign.
Gosforth Bohemian Garnett will be changing to Gosforth Bohemians, Red Row Welfare will become known as Morpeth Sporting Club and Benfield Chemfica are switching to Newcastle Chemfica (Independent).
Due to the current economic climate, Re/Max have discontinued their sponsorship of the league but Pin Point Recruitment have stepped in and agreed to be main sponsors for the next three years.
Alan Findlay of PPR was elected as League President and Kicks Leisure will be sponsoring the Stan Seymour League Cup, Challenge Cup and Fair Play Awards.
Club representatives on the Management Committee for the campaign will be Alan Birkinshaw (Ponteland United), George Davison (Shankhouse), John Shaxon (Heddon) and John Weatherstone (Newcastle BT).
All officers of the League were re-elected to serve again, with Geoff Mason taking up the position of Premier Division Fixture Secretary.
