by Jeff King
It was not the way that United wanted to finish the season as runners-up in the Wearside League after finishing level on points with Darlington Town but with an inferior goal difference meaning they didn't life the League title.
More wins than anyone else, second top scorers, best defensive record but ultimately just, just, just falling short. However, the aim from day 1 of the 2021/22 season was promotion to The Northern League Second Division.
The Club is now delighted to be in a position to announce that barring any highly unlikely last minute appeals/interventions that's exactly the reward the excellent efforts the Coaching Staff and Players have put in has afforded them.
The news was released officially by The Northern League and The FA on Thursday evening.
NEW TEAMS JOIN LEAGUE
Teams allocated for 2022/23 season
The FA has released the list of teams allocated to Step 5 and 6 for the National League System – our first and second divisions.
Pickering Town FC in North Yorkshire will join Division One, with Billingham Town relegated to Division Two. (Pickering play at the Recreation Club ground.) Penrith has been given a reprieve from relegation.
The promotion of Carlisle City and Heaton Stannington to Division One has been confirmed. Durham City has been relegated out of the league and the FA has increased the number of clubs in Division Two – which will now run with 22 teams (compared to 21 this season).
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With North Shields and Consett promoted out of the league, the first division will remain at 20 teams.)
The other clubs joining the league are: Prudhoe YC FC Seniors, Chester-le-Street United and Boro Rangers from the Northern Alliance, Wearside League and North Riding League respectively. These decisions are subject to appeal to the FA.
Prudhoe play at Kimberley Park (where Newcastle University also play), Chester-le-Street United play at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street and Boro Rangers will play at New Ferens Park in Durham.
League chairman Glenn Youngman said:
“We’re delighted to welcome new teams to the league. I’m sure they will be made to feel very welcome as they travel to new grounds in the region. Expanding the second division to 22 teams means more revenue for clubs."
“The close season will give everyone a much-needed break, allowing them to come back raring to go in July. It’s been great to have finished a full season for the first time in three years and I would like to thank everyone involved in our league for all their hard work over the last season.”
So, onwards and upwards for Chester as we begin preparations for another massive step forward for a Club still in it's infancy but growing and rising all the time.
As a Club we'd like to thank the Wearside League for everything it has done for us and the opportunity it gave us. We've learned so much from being in their League and hopefully we can take that forward and represent them in the right manner in the higher step.