The Northern League has decided to continue its Secret Shopper initiative following a management committee meeting in Durham on Thursday night.

The scheme was suspended after the FA raised objections to the financial incentives offered to clubs who had the best marks over the course of the season, but the league will recommence the scheme on February 1st.

League chairman Mike Amos said; “The message is that this league is proud of its reputation and will do anything within its power – despite unexpected interventions elsewhere – to sustain and further embellish it.

“From next season the likelihood is that it will take a slightly different format. The match delegates will be “secret” no longer, and their remit a little wider, but the core of Secret Shopper will remain.

“We want to talk more, we want to communicate better, but the basic message is simple: we’re not giving up. There’ll be an extraordinary general meeting, probably in late March, to explain more and – crucially – to hear from clubs, far too many of whom have been supportive for us to let the unconcerned minority prevail.”