West Auckland chairman Stuart Alderson has warned that the club’s future is at risk – especially if they win promotion to the EvoStik League at the end of the season.

West are in the thick of the title race, with several clubs all vying for the single promotion spot, but a movement up the national system could push West beyond breaking point in terms of personnel and finance.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do if we’re promoted,” said Alderson, who has carried out several roles at the club over several decades.

“We can’t afford to go up. Our costs will increase substantially if we go up – for example we will have to pay transport costs to all sorts of places. Look where Marske and Morpeth are travelling this season – Marske have been to Wisbech, Spalding and Loughborough since the start of the season. I don’t know how much it’s costing them, but it will be a lot more than last season when they were in the Northern League. We’ve been told that if we don’t take promotion, then we’ll be relegated.

“We have some very good sponsors at the moment to whom we’re grateful, but we will need several more to help us – and everyone who is chasing sponsorship knows how difficult it is to persuade companies to part with their money.

“We also need more volunteers to help us out with the many jobs that need to be done – and none of us are getting any younger. I think the average of our volunteers is between 65 and 70 – we need some young blood to help us. We can’t go on forever.

“Several clubs have said to me that they are in the same position as us. If we go up, then I really am concerned about the future of the club.”

Meanwhile on the field, West, who are eighth in the table, are at bottom club Penrith, who are without a win this season.

Midfielder Michael McKeown is added to the West squad, and manager Gary Forrest said; “We need to win to keep our title hopes alive.”

There’s a cracking game in prospect at Heritage Park, where second placed Bishop Auckland take on leaders Consett, who are eight points ahead of them having played the same number of games.

Manager Ian Chandler said; “It’s a great game to be involved in and hopefully there’ll be a huge crowd. This will tell me how far we've come in a short space of time.”

However, Chandler has injury doubts over four of his main goalscoring threats – Callum Patton, Kyle Patton, Shaun Ryder and Chris Winn are all carrying knocks and will have fitness tests.

Newton Aycliffe are at Ashington, and could go into the top half of the table if they win.

Aycliffe manager Deano Browne said; “We’re looking forward to one of the longest trips of the season. We know Ashington have lots of quality but we will be looking to go there and come away with something after a few positive performances.”

Dan Scott and Shaun Hudson will both be missing for Aycliffe.

In the other first division games, Dunston UTS take their nine game unbeaten record to neighbours Whickham.

Stockton Town could go second if they beat Seaham Red Star and other results go in their favour.

Fourth placed Sunderland RCA go to North Shields, Guisborough are at home to Whitley Bay and Ryhope CW play Newcastle Benfield.

In the second division, Willington become the latest club to try and end Billingham Town’s unbeaten start to the season when they go to Bedford Terrace.

Willington, who have lost only once in their last eleven league games, go into the game seventh in the table, and hope to pick from a near full strength squad.

Jason White has recovered from injury, but Graham Lazonby is still ruled out.

Chester-le-Street, who are a single point behind Billingham, are at home to Tow Law.

Manager Colin Wake said; “We had a tough game at Tow Law earlier in the season so we are expecting another tough game on Saturday. They have attacking players to cause problems for sides but are struggling to find a level of consistency at the minute.”

Keeper Scott Pocklington and outfield players Kieran Megran, Cameron Nicholls, Callum Greaves and Chris Stevenson for various reasons, but Owen Henderson returns.

Lawyers, who are fourth bottom, are without defender Callum Hassan because of suspension.

Northallerton, who are fifth, are at Jarrow a place above them, and manager Darren Trotter could choose an unchanged side.

Second bottom Durham City have a huge game against Crook Town as they look for their second win in eight league games.

Manager Wayne Gredziak said; “Saturday’s game is the first of two cup finals as far as I am concerned. If we are to get out of our current position then we need points from our next two games. We have been improving every week and the performances have been there in the last three or four games, but it’s the lack of concentration and belief which are hindering us “With Andy Brown and Drew Hope back in contention after a long time out it is the massive lift we needed at the right time. “ Crook, who are fifth bottom, welcome Jim Willis, Ellis Husband and Joe Peel back to the squad, while Jonny Hope will have a fitness test.

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall said; “For the first time in weeks we have got strength in numbers. I've watched Durham a couple of times and they've impressed me. They work really hard as a group and of late have been unfortunate not get something in games. I certainly won't be underestimating them. We need three points though and we'll be going there to win the game.”

Brandon, who are second bottom, are at Ryton and Crawcrook looking for their second league win of the season.

Ben Joyeux, Alex Dobinson, Chris Spence, Joe Joyce and Ben Clarke all come back into the squad after missing the midweek game, while captain Craig Hindmarch misses the game because he’s getting married.

Esh Winning, who are third bottom, go to Billingham Synthonia looking for their second successive away win having beaten Birtley 4-0 away from home on their last trip away.

In the FA Trophy, Marske United have a big game at home to Tamworth, who were in the quarter finals only five years ago and now playing in the EvoStik League South.