Jarrow Roofing owner Richie McLoughlin believes his club has what it takes to move into the UniBond League.

Roofing, along with Billingham Town, Horden and Whitley Bay, have all indicated that they would like to take promotion into the UniBond League at the end of the season, with the league looking for as many as 13 new clubs.

Roofing have been in the Northern League for around a decade, and McLoughlin said: "We formally applied for the UniBond last Friday.

"We're very ambitious, and we want to go higher up the football ladder.

"We've had a good look at the UniBond standards, and with the plans we have for the ground, we feel that we can meet them."

Among the plans McLoughlin has for the ground is new standing accommodation, plus concrete hardstanding all around the pitch.

Of the other clubs, Whitley Bay was the least surprising because they have expressed a desire to return to the UniBond League on several occasions.

League chairman Mike Amos said: "We've always said that in no way do we discourage ambitious clubs from seeking promotion, only that the ever more isolated geographical position in which the Northern League finds itself makes it physically difficult and economically hazardous for them to do so. That's why we've tried so hard, so far in vain, for a proper look at the northern non-league set up."

Graeme Forster yesterday thanked West Auckland for their support as he prepares to hand over the managerial reins to Alex Mathie.

Forster has been in caretaker charge of West for nearly two months following the departure of Peter Mulcaster and will stand down on Monday to allow the former Newcastle and York striker to take over.

"I'd like to thank everybody at the club for their help and support while I was there," he said.

"I'd also like to wish Alex all the best, he seems very keen and enthusiastic.

"During my time as caretaker, the club has been able to take its time and find the right person to take over on a permanent basis, instead of having to rush into an appointment.

"Alex is hoping to bring a few players to the club. While I was caretaker, it wasn't feasible to bring in any new signings, and I was left with a squad of 12 or 13 players.

"We've soldiered on, and got some good results at places like Jarrow Roofing, Whitley Bay and Washington."

Billingham Town are hoping that their floodlights will soon be operational.

Town have had to play their midweek home matches on neutral grounds, and last Saturday had to start their home game with Morpeth at 2.30.

But the lights are due to be delivered this week and, after the wiring has been installed, are hoping to use them by the end of the month.

Town are due to play Peterlee in the Durham Challenge Cup next week, and are hoping to play next Saturday.

Dunston assistant manager Perry Briggs knows his side's recent slip was a temporary blip.

Dunston suffered their first defeat of the season against Lancaster in the FA Cup a fortnight ago, and then last Saturday were beaten by Whitley Bay in the league.

But that hasn't deterred Dunston, and Briggs said: "We've still got plenty to go for. Apart from the league, we're still in the FA Vase, League Cup and Durham Challenge Cup.

"There's a lot of games to play, and the character of the players is spot on. If we can make a couple of additions to the squad, then we'll be strong challengers."

Striker Ben Thompson, who hasn't played much this season, is back in training and could be back in action in two or three weeks.

Willington have asked for a hearing at Durham FA over the abandonment of their league game at Benfield Saints last month. DFA have received reports from the match officials, and have asked Willington for their observations.

Esh Winning manager Barrie Fleming feels his team are halfway to their survival target.

Esh had a ten-game unbeaten run until they lost at home to both Dunston and Guisborough last week and Fleming said: "As far as we're concerned, we're just about halfway there.

"We had a good unbeaten run, but we have start another one now."

Fleming fears that striker Dave Mawson could be out for several months. Mawson has been suffering from a groin injury since the start of the season, and Fleming said: "He's been to see a couple of specialists, and they've diagnosed a hernia and problems with the abdominal muscles."

Northallerton manager Paul Burton hasn't been taking any notice of the league table much this season - despite a good start to the season.

Last week they defeated South Shields and Whickham to keep them in the promotion fight, but Burton said: "I hadn't looked at the table until last week, when we beat South Shields.

"I think the promotion race is wide open, and we'll have a good idea what's happening at Christmas.

"But we must continue to work hard."

Durham manager Billy Cruddas will probably miss his team's league game with Peterlee tomorrow in order to watch FA Vase opponents Selby Town. Cruddas was hoping to see them in midweek action, but Selby's games have all been arranged for Saturdays and he is planning to watch them at Hallam tomorrow.

Washington Nissan manager Wilf Constantine is delighted with his team's goalscoring form.

Nissan are the highest scorers in the Second Division with 44 goals, ten ahead of league leaders Consett.

Constantine said: "We're scoring lots of goals at the moment, and long may it continue. David Tate, Neil Jackson and Ian Matthews are all scoring regularly, while all the other players are chipping in. The good thing is, we also seemed to have stopped conceding them. "

Kennek Ryhope CA are hoping that Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy will attend Wednesday's Durham Challenge Cup tie with The Black Cats.

Ryhope are hoping for one of their biggest ever crowds for the game against what will mainly be a reserve team, but secretary Owen Haley said: "We've been asked to leave a ticket on the gate for the manager.

"We're expecting a big crowd, so I hope he gets there early."

Consett manager Ray Lish believes that the spirit at the club will a key factor in their promotion challenge.

Lish took over from Colin Carr during the summer, and he has led them to a two point lead at the top of the division. "The team spirit and morale at the club is first class.

"We're trying to get everybody enjoying themselves, and create the feeling that we're all in this together.

"It's not just the team, but the committee as well. I've invited them into the dressing room, so then they can listen to team talks, and they have an idea of what we're trying to do during matches."

Shotton have placed midfielder David Angel on the transfer list at his own request.

Seaham Red Star have signed midfielder Andy Howarth from West Auckland. Howarth has also played for Northallerton, Spennymoor, and Gateshead .

Murton have signed midfielder Dean Goodwin from Jarrow Roofing.

Norton manager Ray Morton is wanting his team to tighten up at the back. Norton lost 5-1 at Benfield Saints last Saturday, to leave them bottom of the Second Division.

Morton said: "We're committing football suicide every week. We played badly in the first half at Benfield, and we were 4-0 down at half time. What could I say? We improved in the second half, but the match was already lost. We've got to stop giving goals away."

West Auckland have arranged a talk in with Malcolm MacDonald, with entertainment by a comedian, on Friday 21st November. Tickets costing £10 are available from the club on 01388 834403

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

Albany Northern League Division One

Bedlington v Brandon, Chester-le-Street v Jarrow Roofing, Dunston v Guisborough, Durham v Peterlee, Esh Winning v Billingham Synthonia, Morpeth v Marske, Thornaby v Whitley Bay, Tow Law v Penrith, Washington v Horden, West Auckland v Billingham Town

Division Two

Ashington v Washington Nissan, Consett v Northallerton, Evenwood v Hebburn, Murton v Easington, Newcastle Blue Star v Crook, Norton v Kennek Ryhope CA, Prudhoe v Newcastle Benfield Saints, South Shields v Alnwick, Whickham v Shotton, Willington v Seaham Red Star.