Wearside League Stockton Town are determined to overcome unexpected legal issues and join the Northern League in 2016-17.

Community-minded Stockton won the Wearside League last weekend, and a month ago thought they were on schedule to join the Northern League after carrying out the necessary ground improvements.

But a last minute legal issue with the lease on their ground completely torpedoed their hopes, and they were reluctantly forced to withdraw their application.

However, they are hoping to bounce back in the next few weeks. Chairman Martin Hillerby said; “It came as a big shock when we learned that there was a problem with our lease, because we were just a week or two away from completion.

“We’re now in the middle of a building site. Half the ground is ripped up, there is all sorts of work going on. It’s a setback, not a knockout blow.

“Stockton Council have been very supportive, very understanding and looking to help us find a way out of this problem. We’re trying to get it resolved as quickly as possible, and hopefully we’re close to a resolution.

“We’ve been working three years on this project which will be a big boost to our relationship with the local community. We’re already intertwined with the town.

“We already run 19 teams, and next season we’re running 22. We employ two people on a full time basis, and another nine on a part time basis. We’ve built the club from the bottom up, during this season seven under 18 players have made their debuts in the first team, and that’s something we’re very proud of.

“We provide facilities for the community, and the opportunity for people to progress. This is a community club that’s growing on the back of the community.

“We won’t be beaten, it’s only a matter of time.”

Stockton’s withdrawal means that the door is open for Easington to return to the Northern League.