York Acorn are looking forward to the new season with confidence after having their National Conference League status reaffirmed.

The Blue and Golds had been on tenterhooks since the end of the season when they were forced to seek re-election to the League after finishing second from bottom of division two.

But the wait is now over following the NCL management committee's decision to accept their bid - unlike four clubs whose membership has been withdrawn.

Club spokesman Paul Lumby said it had not come as too much of a surprise but they were delighted to finally know where they stand next season.

He said: "We're very pleased but deep down we would have felt very disappointed if they had gone against us. In theory if you look at what the League has been saying, that a number of clubs don't come up to the criteria, it would have been disappointing if we hadn't got back in as we have well and truly fulfilled all the criteria.

"Although it's the second time we've finished second from bottom we've never been more than one point off the middle of the table, and if you look at the juniors it is clear we are on the right track.

"The one thing we don't want to do is go back to another league outside the National Conference. That would be a crying shame. Those days have gone and we want to be a part of the bright future of the game in the Conference."

He added it would now be "full steam ahead" in the search for a new coach to replace Stewart Smith. "This opens other doors in terms of attracting the man with the right calibre. We're looking for someone who is going to take us out of this division. We don't want to be in this situation again, although Stewart didn't do a bad job last season.

"We're also trying to attract one or two experienced players who may be on the verge of packing in the professional game, and not just from the York area. It's the one thing we've been missing and we hope that a new coach will help put that right."

It has emerged there was also a nervous wait for New Earswick All Blacks who were among eight clubs asked to re-apply before the end of the season due to concern regarding their ability to meet the League's minimum standards, which include such aspects as junior structure, disciplinary record, playing record and facilites.

NCL administrator David Lowe said: "New Earswick were one of the eight clubs involved but when they listed their junior structure and all their other facilities it was clear they did meet the minimum standards criteria and we were happy with what they had to offer."

The four clubs who have lost their place in the League are Beverley East Hull, who finished bottom of the premier division; second division Dodworth; first division basement club Milford and Moldgreen, also of the first division. Ovenden were expelled midway through the season for fielding an ineligible player.

Five other clubs - Castleford Lock Lane, Featherstone Lions, Normanton Knights, Rochdale Mayfield and Siddal - have been given 12 months notice to get their house in order.

Terry Parle, chairman of the NCL, said: "We sincerely wish those clubs leaving all the best for the future and I thank them for their time in the National Conference League. However each has had ample time in which to address matters and the Conference management simply cannot keep out of membership clubs entertaining better facilities and structures than those already in existence."

The committee's decision means there is no relegation for the league's bottom two teams, Acorn and Keighley Albion, while five new clubs - Castleford Panthers of the Yorkshire League, Hunslet Warriors (White Rose League), Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (Pennine League), Oldham Waterhead (North West Counties League) and Bradford West Bowling (Pennine League) - join them in division two.

The changes will have an affect on the promotion and relegation issues, though the proposals for the new make-up of the divisions will have to be passed at the NCL's annual general meeting next Tuesday. There is no escape for Heworth who still drop out of the premier division while Redhill and Dudley Hill are both promoted to the top flight. Shaw Cross, who finished second from bottom of the first division, have been saved from relegation and will be joined by Eccles, Ideal Isberg and third placed Blackbrook who are all promoted from division two.

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