LAST season's leading scorer in the Northern League, Dunston's Andy Fletcher, has sprung a surprise by signing for league champions Bedlington, writes RAY SIMPSON.

Fletcher picked up the leading goalscorer award at the league's Annual Dinner two months ago, but he has now signed for Tony Lowery's side and appeared for them a in a pre-season friendly last Saturday.

Also making the move northwards to Welfare Park is Dunston midfielder Nicky Scaife.

Fletcher's arrival means that he will probably forge a potent strikeforce with John Milner, who has been a prolific scorer in the last few seasons - and almost certainly puts Bedlington as strong title favourites Colin Richardson will be staying on as coach of Jarrow Roofing when the new season kicks off next month.

Richardson, one of the most successful managers in north east non league football, went to Roofing as coach near the end of the season, on what at first was an arrangement until the end of the season.

But it suits everybody concerned that he's staying.

Chairman and club owner Richie McLoughlin said: "Colin is happy to stay on and help us with the coaching. It takes a lot of the workload off me, because I'm running all over the place doing lots of jobs and keeping the club going."

West Auckland striker Jonathan Milroy will miss the start of the season because of injury.

Milroy has picked up a back injury, and manager Alan Oliver thinks that he will miss the opening weeks of the season.

Meanwhile, Oliver has targeted four players to strengthen his squad, although he isn't disclosing any names.

Guisborough have arranged to play a friendly against Middlesbrough on Tuesday August 13th, kick off 7pm.

Billingham Town have arranged to play Third Division Hartlepool in a friendly on Tuesday 6th August, just four days before the start of the new season.

Manager Allan Robinson said: "We've played Hartlepool close to the start of the season before, and they've always send a full strength team."

Whitby Town have launched an appeal to raise £45,000 to build a new main stand at the Turnbull Ground.

Whitby are worried that their stand might fall below league standard next year, and they could be relegated to the First Division.

Chairman Graham Manser said: "A new stand will cost £275,000. We have £70,000 and there are grants available up to £160,000, but this leaves us with a shortfall of around £45,000"

Whitby are launching a sponsorship scheme in which fans can pay £100 for every new seat in the stand.

Wearside League secretary Edwin Hargreaves has quit in order to take up a post at Durham FA. His place has been taken by assistant secretary Tom Clark.

North Shields have had an appeal to the FA turned down over their failure to gain promotion to the Northern League.

The FA, the Northern League and its two feeder leagues, the Northern Alliance and Wearside League all agreed that there should be no promotion until a proper system of promotion and relegation is in force, probably at the end of next season.

UniBond League club Emley have changed their name to Wakefield Emley for the new season.

Emley, a village just outside Huddersfield, have been playing their home games at Wakefield Rugby League club because their ground in Emley falls below league standard, and they feel that the name of Wakefield should be incorporated into their name.

Spennymoor United are hoping to have a signing embargo lifted by the weekend.

Following the problems with their lease with the local council, the UniBond League imposed a signing embargo on them last month, which effectively prevented manager Tony Lee from signing players.

However, the lease negotiations now appear to be heading to a satisfactory conclusion, and Moors are hoping that the League will respond accordingly.

Secretary Brian Boughen said: "The situation is almost resolved. There is a league meeting on Sunday when we hope everything will be sorted out."

Moor have been made 4-1 second favourites to win the First Division of the UniBond League by a chain of national bookmakers. Bishop Auckland, who were forcibly relegated, are joint third favourites at 7-1 with Witton Albion and Chorley.

FA Vase winners Whitley Bay are quoted at a generous 50-1 to regain their crown.

* Tow Law Town FC stage their annual five-a-side competition at the Ironworks Road ground on Friday August 9, from 6 30pm with trophies to the winners and runners up. Entry is £10 per team, details from Graeme Forster (07989 381789), John Coates (07769 887120) or from the Lawyers' clubhouse.