Wearside League club North Shields could find themselves left high and dry if the FA can't solve the problem of relegation and promotion from the Northern League to its feeder leagues.

The FA have become involved after frustrated clubs in the Northern Alliance and Wearside League were denied the chance to progress to the Northern League, who have maintained that the overall quality of the feeder leagues' grounds don't reach the required standard for a system to operate.

But unless the FA finds a solution at a meeting next week, then Shields' future could be bleak.

There has been strong opposition in some quarters to any notion of the Northern League extending its second division, which means that effectively there are no vacancies which Shields - who left the Northern League for the pyramid 13 years ago - could fill.

Shields, meanwhile, have submitted their resignation to the Wearside League, and unless they are admitted to the Northern League at its June 1 annual meeting, might not have a league to play in next season. The Northern League is also coming under pressure to admit progressive clubs from the Northern Alliance, such as West Allotment.

North Shields chairman Alan Griffiths said: "We hope the matter is soon resolved, because as a club, we're ready to go to the Northern League.

"When Washington Nissan won promotion last season to the Northern League, we were told that our ground was up to Second Division standard. So this season, we submitted our application to the Northern League before Christmas.

"We hope that a solution can be found, not only for the sake of North Shields, but also for football in general.

"We feel as if we're being battered with a cleft stick. If it doesn't work out, then we'll have to go cap-in-hand back to the Wearside League."

UniBond League club Whitby Town have released central defender David Goodchild.

Goodchild was with the club for over seven seasons, and was a member of the team which won the FA Vase at Wembley in 1997 against North Ferriby. He also helped the club to two promotions, from the Northern League and UniBond League First Division.

Evenwood's Terry Laffey has resigned as manager of the Albany Northern League Second Division club after two seasons in charge.

The club is now looking for a replacement, anyone interested should contact chairman Craig Latcham on 07970 311030

Ashington have parted company with their manager, former Sunderland full back Cec Irwin.

Ashington have been relegated after just one season in the First Division, after taking 16 years to get out of the Second Division.

Shildon have appointed the experienced David Bayles as their new player-coach in a reshuffle at Dean Street.

Bayles joined Shildon midway through the season from Bishop Auckland, and he will probably take on more of the coaching duties when Peter Feenan leaves the club at the end of July.

Manager Ray Gowan said: "As everyone knows, Peter is going to live in Spain. He's only been with us for a year, and he's done a really good job. He'll be helping us to construct the team for next season."

Gowan is pressing ahead with team strengthening. "We're hoping to make to four signings to assist in our drive towards the top of the first division and national cup success."

But it looks as if midfielder Brian Healy, once of Torquay and Darlington, will be leaving the club.

"Brian is a retained player of Shildon's but I would think that he is looking for a manager's job somewhere and we will certainly not stand in his way."

First Division Brandon and Second Division Crook Town have both had three points deducted by the league for fielding ineligible players in league games towards the end of the season. Crook fielded Michael Crammond even though he is registered at Bedlington, while Brandon used Trevor Buckingham while he was still a South Shields player.

Peterlee are looking for a new manager following the resignation of Eddie Freeman. Applications should be made to secretary Danny Cassidy at 23 Melbury Street, Seaham, Co Durham by June 6