PICKERING Town and Selby Town have underlined their intentions to move up the football league pyramid by lodging applications for membership to the UniBond League for next season.
The two rivals, who are among the front-runners in the Northern Counties East League premier division, would need to finish in the top two and match the necessary ground grading criteria if they are to stand a chance of gaining promotion into the UniBond League.
UniBond press officer Phil Bradley, explained: "Basically the grounds are inspected and if the pass the teams must then finish in the top two of their league.
"The champions get the first bite at it and if their ground is not up to scratch we look to the second-placed team."
A total of 16 teams from the three feeder leagues - the North West Counties and the Albany Northern League, as well as the NCEL - have applied to take part next year but only one club, or none if the criteria is not met, will make it from each one.
Clubs have until April 1 this year, to ensure their grounds are up to scratch, while the race for the promotion spots is set to come to its conclusion on May 4.
Pickering chairman Tony Dunning said: "We've applied a couple of weeks ago and we will now see what they are looking for.
"The inspection of our ground is on Sunday. The officials from the UniBond League will inspect our facilities and then let us know what we need to do from there.
"If the team is good enough, then you have to apply really. If you get into the promotion positions and haven't applied then you have missed out.
"It would be a big step for us, but I don't think the players will be overawed by it."
Selby Town's ground will also be inspected on Sunday afternoon, with the club set to find out before December with what work, if any, needs to be done.
"As far as I know the ground got the 'okay' from the Northern Counties East League gradings," said boss Bob Lyon. "They've given it a Grade B which I believe is good enough for the UniBond League.
"It will be a big jump, you just have to look at Ossett Albion to see that. They were one of the better teams in the NCE League last season, but they are now bottom of the table in the UniBond."
Updated: 11:42 Thursday, November 15, 2001
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