KEITH PEEL Norwich United look set to escape relegation from the Premier Division of the Ridgeons Football League. The Planters finished third from bottom, but are destined for a reprieve after Bury Town and AFC Sudbury and Bury Town had their promotions practically confirmed.

KEITH PEEL

Norwich United look set to escape relegation from the Premier Division of the Ridgeons Football League.

The Planters finished third from bottom, but are destined for a reprieve after Bury Town and AFC Sudbury and Bury Town had their promotions practically confirmed.

That means second from bottom Harwich will also stay in the Ridgeons League top flight, with only Clacton going down.

Bury and Sudbury have been allocated places in a newly-formed Ryman League Division One North next season after finishing second and third behind Lowestoft Town.

Their grounds have met the required requirements to enable them to make the step up to a higher standard of football under a restructure of the game.

Sudbury's board of directors have unanimously agreed to the step up, while Bury chairman Russell Ward said: “I can't see anyone at the club not being in favour of the move, but we will sit down and discuss it over the next few days.”

Other teams scheduled to play in Ryman League Division One North are AFC Hornchurch, Arlesey Town, Aveley, Barking & East Ham, Enfield, Enfield Town, Great Wakering Rovers, Harlow Town, Hendon, Ilford, Maldon Town, Potters Bar Town, Redbridge, Tilbury, Waltham Abbey, Waltham Forest, Ware, Wingate & Finchley, Witham Town and Wivenhoe Town.

The formation of the league has been a cause for debate as, at one stage, it looked as if it could include teams from near the M4, heading towards Oxford.

But that did not materialise and Sudbury's longest league trip next season will be the 81-mile journey to Hendon, but this will take no longer than a Ridgeons League encounter with King's Lynn Reserves.

Recently appointed Sudbury manager Mark Morsley believes this makes the newly-formed Ryman League Division One North an attractive option for ambitious clubs in the Ridgeons League hoping to make a step up.

He said: “With the league looking the way it does, it's a real plus for the club and the supporters. It is very good that there are no real major travel problems.

“What it does is it puts down a league that's a realistic step for teams in the Ridgeons League to aim for.”