With the Northern League Division 1 and the NWCFL Premier Division also now taken by Level 4 referees, how are the thirty Level 3 officials each week who last year would have been appointed to these matches now being deployed?
Travelling must be more of a burden for most referees in the North-East and for the clubs further South that will have to pay expenses for more long-distance travel.
A Level 3 referee from, say, Cullercoats, will have Morpeth, South Shields, Dunston and Marske from within Northern League territory. Pickering, Whitby, Scarborough, Kendal and Lancaster would be reasonable on Saturdays, but quite awkward journeys for evening matches. Thereafter the next nearest would be Tadcaster, Pontefract, Ossett, Bamber Bridge, Colne, Clitheroe and Brighouse - all long treks. I hope club treasurers are well prepared.
The Northern League Div 1 is still being refereed by level 3's for this season.
Due to the termination of last season the new step 4 league in the north didnt get setup, so its as was for this season.
But your point is still valid, with 3 clubs from the N.L. being proted to the new league and chances that South Shields will move up there wont be many games to go around.
Thise clubs in Yorkshire better get used to paying more expenses