CONFERENCE football could be coming to the conference town of Harrogate as soon as next season if new plans are accepted.

The football pyramid is set to undergo a major shake-up in its format if plans to expand the Conference to three divisions are ratified by the FA.

The top rung of the semi-professional game has put forward plans for two new 22-strong feeder divisions - Conference Two North and Conference Two South - to be put in place in time for next season.

This would see clubs from the UniBond, Ryman and Dr Martens Leagues invited to apply to join the new-look set-up.

And the ambitious Harrogate Town have wasted little time in putting forward their name to become part of the lower league revolution.

Although nothing has been confirmed yet, the club are hoping they will be kicking off the 2003/4 season in the Conference.

Boss John Reed said: "They are looking at adding an extra Confer-ence tier split into two, with division two north and south.

"We have had an application to join, which we've filled in and sent off. The club are really keen to be involved in some capacity, but at the moment it is a case of waiting to see what happens.

"Until it is absolutely certain it is going ahead, we won't be resigning from the UniBond League, but it has a good chance of being accepted.

"It is a good thing for us because it would get us in the Conference quicker as we are probably a couple of years off it at the moment, so this should speed things up."

Any move out of the UniBond League would see Town forced to improve their Wetherby Road ground, but this is something the club are already undertaking.

"There would be certain ground improvements needed but the club are already addressing this," said Reed.

"They have gone to Hull City's old Boothferry Park ground to pick up some seating which will be put in but I think we would need just one more turnstile."

For now the club's Conference hopes will be put on hold, with the playing priorities set on stretching their unbeaten run to nine matches for the UL premier division trip to Ashton United.

"We want to pick up 2003 from where we left 2002," added Reed. "As a team we've stopped making mistakes and that has seen us climb the table."

The festive break has meant Reed has a full-strength squad to pick from, although one new and one familiar face could be included.

Reed has put in international applications to sign Norwegian-based striker Robbie Pell and Australian-based Jamie Horsley, who was at Town two seasons ago.

Harrogate Railway will be just hoping to get the chance to play when they travel to Arnold Town in the Northern Counties East League premier division after a frustrating festive period.

The club's back-to-back fixtures against Hallam both fell foul of the weather, leaving the Railwaymen having played just 12 matches in the league so far.

However, the extended break - their last game was the 3-1 defeat by Newcastle Town in the FA Vase on December 14 - has meant Rail boss Paul Marshall does have a full-strength squad to pick from.

Pickering Town boss Steve Brown will be hoping the new year brings some new luck for the premier division strugglers.

The Pikes currently lie second from bottom in the table and are in desperate need of a maximum points haul from the visit of fellow strugglers Eccleshill.

Matthew Morton lasted the full 90 minutes in his first start of the season on Saturday and should continue in midfield.

Selby Town face a tricky task as they attempt to continue their move away from the danger area with a home tie against Ossett Albion.

The Robins are flying towards mid-table safety, but they will be fearful of the threat posed by an Ossett team tipped for the top.

In NCEL division one, Tadcaster Albion can continue their improvement in fortunes by toppling fellow strugglers Louth.

Albion, who have picked up a morale-boosting three wins and a draw from their past six games for ten of the 11 points they have managed all season, now have Louth and Worsbrough Bridge in their sights as they look to move out of the bottom three.

Updated: 11:45 Friday, January 03, 2003