Heworth ARLC have seen their cheeky bid for a place in division one of the Arriva Trains Conference come to nothing after it was turned down by league chiefs.

However, their hopes of going up from division two next season have been boosted after clubs in all three divisions backed plans to introduce an extra promotion and relegation place for the coming season.

The Villagers, who finished third last season to just miss out on promotion, had offered to take over the fixtures of division one club Woolston Rovers after the Warrington-based side, who also play in the summer National League Three, withdrew from the league.

But league chiefs this week declined the offer, instead deciding to run with one fewer team in division one and keeping Heworth in division two.

A similar fate befell the Villagers at the end of last season when league bosses, following the expulsion of Redhill from division one, decided to relegate one fewer team rather than promote the third team in division two.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes explained: "We said we would be prepared to take on Woolston's fixtures this season but they declined the offer.

"This means there could be an extra place next year up for promotion, but I suspect the league would again relegate one fewer team again."

Nevertheless, clubs in the league, including Heworth and neighbours York Acorn, voted in favour in principle of bringing in one more promotion/relegation spot for this season onwards.

It is yet to be decided whether this will mean a straight three-up, three-down system or the introduction of a play-off.

Sykes said Heworth were strongly in favour of the extra promotion place.

He explained: "Some clubs look at it differently, for example those clubs who fear they might struggle and might not want to risk it, but the majority of clubs wanted the extra promotion space.

"We feel that, particularly with the strength of the second division over the last few years, getting promoted will be a very hard job.

"The division will be stronger this year as Ince Rose Bridge and East Hull, who will be very good teams, have joined the league and they, like Wath Brow last year, might stroll through the division.

"It would be very very hard if there was only two promotion places."

The season starts on Saturday, August 23, with Heworth having a warm-up fixture against Calder Valler on August 2 and East Leeds on August 9, providing the latter don't get through to the final of the Leeds and District Cup.

They will also face New Earswick All Blacks on Wednesday, August 13 in the final of the York and District Cup, which was put back from last season.

Updated: 10:08 Friday, July 25, 2003