NORTHERN League crowds have increased for the fifth successive year -and the league is one of only a handful in the country that make that proud boast.

Figures released by the league show a massive 16 per cent increase in crowds to just over 84,000 from last season 's 72,500,with champions Whitley Bay leading the way with a 50 per cent increase.

League chairman Mike Amos said: "This is the fifth successive season that crowds have increased,so despite the criticism the league is getting in some quarters,we must be doing something right.

"There is a significant increase in percentage terms overall.We expected a slight dip in Second Division attendances with Darlington RA moving up and the stabilisation of Spennymoor 's gates,but at least we 're bucking the trend.We estimate that our attendances have gone up 25 per cent in ten years.

"The clubs are getting the message that they must try different initiatives -for example, when Marske played on Boxing Day,they gave out free scarves.

"The FA have also told us,through Mike Appleby one of their officials,that most leagues in the country are experiencing a decline in attendances.

"But we know that we mustn 't be complacent,because in every sense it 's harder to attract people to games."

The average gate in the First Division passed the three figure mark,increasing from 98 to 111,while the second division average went down slightly from 83 to 79.

Whitley Bay had the best average of 209,with Durham and Spennymoor also in the top three.

For the second season running, the best crowd was in the Second Division,where 527 saw Marske play Guisborough at Christmas.

TEAM Northumbria director of football Paul Johnson says his club 's first season in the Northern League was a "massive learning experience."

They were promoted to the Second Division last summer from the Northern Alliance,and finished in midtable without really threatening the promotion places or dropping into the relegation battle.

"The League is definitely more physically demanding that the league we came from,"he said."We had to adjust quickly and in some instances paid the price with injuries by not adjusting quickly enough.

"It 's been a defi ni te learning curve and on reflection we either drew or beat all of the top teams but t h e n struggled against the sides below us when it became more of a physical battle for the points.

"One area that was noticeable in all the teams we played was they all had a decent level of centre forward and we struggled in that area so that is an area we have made enquires to strengthen in.

"On a club front it has also been a massive learning experience,as our club is slightly different to most others in that we are relatively new club.We don 't have a huge committee structure in place,which means the vast majority of running the club is done by myself,our secretary and the coaching/managing staff.We are looking to strengthen in numbers to help in the committee roles."

STOKESLEY manager Ted Watts says he is happy with his team 's debut season in the Northern League -but wants a much better season next time round.

They were promoted from the Wearside League at the end of 2005/06,and finished a creditable eighth in the Second Division,a place above their more established neighbours Guisborough.

He said:"I was happy with our league season after a poor start,but it was a bit disappointing to lose in the semi final of the Ernest Armstrong Trophy to Whickham.

"I 'm ringing around a few players now for next season to try and build a better squad,because I feel we need strengthening in key areas.One game which sticks in my mind was one we lost,against Marske United.They were much stronger than us,so it 's that type of player I 'm looking for.We want to improve in every season we play,so our aim next season is to push for promotion.

"One thing we learned during the season is that during the months of December,January and February,we can 't play passing football,and that we must be more direct.Plus,the players must learn to be a little more patient -when we got in front in some matches,we got a little bit gung-ho and made mistakes.

"The standard of play was just what we expected.But whereas there were maybe 20 tough games per season in the Wearside League,there are 40 in the Northern League."

Interest in the club 's fortunes certainly seems to have increased in the town,with the sale of season tickets up on last season.The club also intends to improve the pitch by the time the season kicks off on August 11.

Meanwhile,Watts has signed Stuart Wise,who can play in a variety of positions,for the new season,and he has also arranged home friendlies against Ryhope (July 21),Pickering (July 28),Great Ayton (August 1)and Blyth (August 4).

BRANDON chairman Bill Fisher says he is worried about the club 's future in the Northern League if the they do not meet ground requirements.

Brandon had already overcome one crisis this summer when they lost most of last season 's squad, but now they have worsening problems with their ground.

Just like many non-league clubs, the club is having problems with vandalism,and Fisher said:"We need a good security fence,but cannot get the council to budge on the issue.The worrying aspect is that no matter how well the team does in the new season,we may still lose our Northern League place because of the state of the ground."

The club also closed down its clubhouse a fortnight ago because it was losing money."Rather than making us money,it had become a liability and the football was subsidising it rather than the other way round.In a way it should work out better for the club,"said Fisher.

THORNABY manager Alan Robinson has considerably strengthened his squad by bringing in three of his old players.

Robinson,who was appointed midway through last season,has signed strikers David Turner and Lee Ure,as well as midfielder Martin O 'Riordan.

"All three of them have played for me before at various clubs,and signing David is a massive coup for us, because he could have stayed in the First Division with Spennymoor.

"Hopefully,we will have a much stronger squad,and instead of looking over our shoulders and fighting relegation,we will be looking towards the top places.We 'll be giving the top lads a run for their money."

Robinson has also strengthened his management team,with Chris Hardy, who was at Bishop Auckland last season,joining as assistant manager, and he 'll be helped by Martin Speight as coach and physio Paul Jackson.

WEST Auckland manager David Bayles is looking for a new keeper following the departure of Mark Bell to UniBond League club Gateshead.

Bell was West 's regular last season,and Bayles said:"I 'm looking for a keeper of quality to replace him."

But Bayles has brought in three new players,including defender Micky Waller from Northallerton and midfielders Stuart Owen and Danny Robinson.

Bayles said:"Micky is a very experienced player,and we hope that he will organise and marshall the defence.We expect Stuart to give us some options on the left of midfield,while Danny has been with Middlesbrough and Sunderland,but suffered with a broken ankle."