Evenwood Town have launched an appeal to buy some new floodlights, and save their Northern League place.

The club, which had its best season for several years last time round when they finished mid-table in the league and reached the Craven Cup final, needs to find £4,000 towards the cost of floodlights.

Manager Ken Houlahan said: "From requiring just two bulbs last September, our floodlights requirements have escalated to a totally new system with the FA finally insisting on new bases and new masts just a fortnight ago.

"This is the result of the current masts being obsolete, and the need for a ten year structural engineers certificate guaranteeing the integrity of masts and foundations.

"This is a potentially devastating blow for the club. We must have floodlights in order to play in the Northern League. We are determined to raise £4,000 by August, which is ten per cent of the total cost of the new floodlights and the Football Association will contribute the rest. We would like to appeal to any local businesses and the local community to help us to raise this amount. A number of activities have been planned such as raffles, sponsored activities and events and we would welcome everybody to come along, join in the fun and help us achieve our target."

Northern League officials have started ground inspections, and they have made repeated warnings that if clubs aren't up to the required standard by the end of the new season, then there is every possibility that they could be kicked out of the league.

Brooks Mileson, the sponsor of the Northern League through the Albany Group, has confirmed his intention of sponsoring the league "in perpetuity" Mileson amazed everybody by standing up at the Northern League dinner in May and announced his plan to include provision for the league to be sponsored throughout his lifetime and those of his sons by a codicil in his will.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos said: "This is a magnificent gesture by Brooks, and words can't express how much we're grateful to him. The league stands for many things in the north east, and now it can continue in the same vein for a long time to come.

"The sponsorship money also means that each of our member clubs will receive income of some sort every year."

And just to demonstrate Mileson's intentions, he has already paid this season's sponsorship of £35,000, a month before a ball has been kicked. The current sponsorship deal runs out at the end of the new season, then the new index-linked arrangement takes over.

Murton have appointed Brian Maitland as their new manager in succession to Ray Lish, who quit last month to become boss of Consett. Maitland will be assisted by the much-travelled Barry Goodwin, who has played in goal for several Northern League clubs.

Horden manager Tommy Garside is hoping to complete the signings of two players in order to strengthen his squad for the new campaign in the ANL First Division.

Garside guided Horden to the Durham Challenge Cup and their first promotion in the ANL last season, and he will wait until a few weeks in the campaign before deciding whether he needs to make more changes.

Garside said: "I'm not planning to make any massive adjustments. I'm happy with the squad I've got, but that's not say that it will be my final squad.

"I'm looking to add a couple of signings before we start, and I've spoken to the players concerned. We don't know what we're up against yet."

Garside was co-manager along with Keith Stephens last season, but Stephens has resigned, and instead Alan Martin will be player-coach.

Meanwhile, Horden are making big strides off the field as well as on it, and hope to complete work on a £100,000 project, which has been partly grant-aided, to refurbish their main stand and dressing rooms.

Tow Law have suffered a blow with the news that midfielder Scott Nicholson, who was the club's leading scorer last season from midfield, has been signed by UniBond League club Whitby Town.

Washington Nissan manager Wilf Constantine has raided his old club Eppleton for players.

Constantine, who had guided Eppleton to the brink of safety before they were deducted 15 points for administration irregularities, has signed six players from his old club, including striker David Tait, who scored several goals after he was signed from local football, and another striker Michael Dibie, who had a trial with Barry in the League of Wales last season.

Constantine has also signed Johnny Butler, the 23 year old brother of Sunderland's Thomas.

Gary Lormer, who was in the hot seat at Nissan for a matter of days before he resigned, has joined Jarrow Roofing as coach, and joining him are Adam Johnston and Gavin Cogden, two of the club's leading scorers last season.