Whitley Bay have made John Charlton their new manager.

There were rumours that Andy Gowens could be reconsidering his decision to quit, but Whitley's committee appointed Charlton at the weekend.

Charlton was manager of Blyth for part of last season, and he will be bringing his assistant at Croft Park, Graham Clark, with him to Whitley.

Gowens has never publicly said why he quit, but it is understood that he was unhappy with some off the field events at Hillheads, especially so soon after the FA Vase success.

Second Division Washington Nissan have appointed Gary Lormer as their new boss. Lormer, who has plenty of experience in the Northern League, was assistant to Gavin Liddle last season, and accepted the job last weekend. Nissan were front runners for promotion for most of last season, but fell away.

All 200 guests at last Friday's Albany Northern League dinner gave sponsor Brooks Mileson a standing ovation after announcing he will sponsor the league "in perpetuity".

Many guests missed the significance of the announcement until league chairman Mike Amos clarified it with the millionaire a few minutes later.

"It means that the league will be sponsored by Brooks for a very long time," Amos said.

"It is a magnificent gesture, one without parallel in football. I'm not aware of anybody who has agreed to sponsor the league not only throughout his lifetime, but also that of his sons as well.

"The league is secure, and it's all thanks to Brooks."

Mileson has set up a trust in which his family, and the league , will benefit. "I thought I'd better do something, because I was sick of Mike pestering me about the sponsorship deal," he joked.

No figures were mentioned in the deal, but it could be worth several millions considering that the League currently receives £35,000 per year from Mileson through his Albany Group of companies.

Jarrow Roofing striker Paul Chow was named as the league's player of the year at the annual dinner.

Chow, who was the joint top scorer in the league last season, scored against every other team to shoot his club into the top half of the table.

Goalkeeper Steve Tierney, who played a key part in helping Horden to victory in the Durham Challenge Cup final, was second, with midfielder Mark Patterson of champions Brandon third.

On the same night Northallerton were the lucky winners of a full kit provided by JustSport in a raffle. Second Division champions Penrith also won a new award, the Albany Achievement award, for the club which has achieved most during the year. The award was presented by the league sponsor Brooks Mileson.

West Auckland committee man Les Nevison was judged the league's Unsung Hero at the league dinner. Les has been involved with the club since 1952, and in their recommendation, the club said: "Not only is he at the ground every day of the week, but he's there at 8am."

John Thompson of Dunston was second, and Derek Sayers of Newcastle Blue Star third.

The Groundsman of the Year award went to Dave Richardson of Billingham Town, while the referee of the year was Ashley Cooper.

Penrith won the Hospitality Award, and Evenwood the Tea Hut award.

Denise and Martin Haworth, who run the Northern League club, were awarded the Arthur Clark Memorial Trophy for their massive contribution to the league during the year.

The Northern League annual meeting takes place at Newcastle Blue Star, with hardly any contentious issues on the agenda.

Probably the only point which will raise debate is the proposal by the management committee to stop day of match registrations, following the problems last season when several clubs signed players just before kick off, who subsequently were found to be registered at other clubs.

However, there has been time set aside to discuss the latest pyramid re-organisation, about which chairman Mike Amos has already circulated a six page report to the 41 clubs.

Former Tow Law and Spennymoor striker Jarrod Suddick has been appointed the new manager of Northern Alliance club Ponteland United.

West Auckland committee member Norman Ayton has been made a life member of the Albany Northern League.

Norman has been involved with West since the early 1950s and was heavily involved when the club won the FA Amateur Cup and the League. He was presented with an award by league chairman Mike Amos, who said "Norman has been involved with every facet of the club."

West have arranged to play a pre-season friendly against a Sunderland XI on Wednesday, July 30 (7pm).