Bishop Auckland are almost certain to be in the Arngrove Northern League First Division next season – but they won’t know for definite until the middle of July.

Bishops are the lucky club to benefit from Durham City’s sudden and unexpected promotion to the UniBond League Division One North.

Instead of being relegated in third bottom place to the Second Division for the first time in their history following Northallerton Town`s last day win at Morpeth Town, Bishops are reprieved from the drop and will stay in the First Division after all.

They will be up against Penrith Town, instead of by-passing them, as the Cumbrians won the Second Division title to earn promotion.

But that might change at a meeting of the FA Council on July 12th, because the Northern League intends to challenge the FA Leagues committee’s decision to promote Durham, even though the league champions’ ground wasn’t up to standard by the March 31st deadline.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos is still furious about the FA decision, and has exchanged several angry e-mails and phone calls with FA official Mike Appleby.

“We’re hoping to have the matter raised at a meeting of the FA Council on July 12th,” he said.

“Let me say first and foremost the league has got nothing against Durham City and Bishop Auckland. What we are saying that, bearing in mind that Durham’s ground wasn’t up to standard when it should have been, that the FA’s decision to promote Durham is at best unconstitutional, and at worst illegal.

“If Durham’s ground had been up to standard within the rules, we would have wished them the best of luck in their new venture. Even Adrian Titcombe, the FA inspector, has said that the FA has always been adamant that March 31st is the deadline. Unfortunately, Durham are now piggy in the middle.

“But the FA can’t be allowed to get away with breaking their own rules. For the good of the game and the integrity of football, then we’ve got to mount the strongest possible challenge.

“The reason why the FA have done it, is to shore up the restructuring of the national system - they’ve torn up the rule book and done as they’ve liked.

“I’ve spoken to Bishop Auckland, and they accept the situation. They’re aware that they could still be in the Second Division next season. We didn’t pick the fight, it was the FA.”

Durham City, meanwhile, expect another ground inspection by the FA in the first week in June.

“All of the work will be done by May 31st,” said vice-chairman Gerard O’Connor.

All of which could have another knock-on effect for Whitehaven Amateurs who only received word on Saturday that they would be replacing Durham City in the Northern League.

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