PICKERING TOWN could be forced into a new division as part of a reorganisation planned by the Football Association.

The Pikes, founder members of the Northern Counties East League 30 years ago, may be moved into a North Division for the start of the 2013/14 season if Step 5 of the pyramid undergoes a seismic shift.

Club chairman Keith Usher said Pickering are opposed to the changes, which would see them playing the likes of Whitley Bay, Billingham Synthonia, Bedlington Terriers, Marske United and Penrith.

Representatives of the Recreation Ground outfit attended a meeting at the West Riding County FA offices, in Leeds, earlier this month where the reorganisation was outlined to them.

Pickering would become the 23rd club in the North Division, which is currently the Northern League, and are being considered for the move as they are the most northern of the clubs playing in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

A review group of the FA’s leagues committee has been charged with exploring the possibility of reducing the current 14 Step 5 divisions down to 12. The intention is to align the number of promotion places to Step 4 with the number of relegation places.

With Pickering currently enjoying a series of derby matches each season, against Selby Town, Tadcaster Albion, Bridlington Town and Scarborough Athletic, Usher fears the club would lose much needed revenue if forced into a new league – with Guisborough becoming the closest team to them.

Pickering originally joined the Yorkshire League in 1972 and have always considered themselves to be a county outfit.

Usher said: “We are not particularly keen to go into a Northern league. In terms of mileage, it would be very little difference but we would prefer to stay in the Northern Counties, of which we were founder members.

“These proposals are not set in stone but the club, in principle, oppose this. We have a number of local derbies which are derbies because of the history.

“In a Northern league, we would be getting very few visiting supporters and that would have a knock on effect in terms of revenue.

“I don’t think the Northern Counties league is happy with this either and they seem to have picked us because we are the most northern team in the league.”

Area meetings at Step 5 clubs are continuing over the next couple of weeks, ending at Yeovil on February 12, and the comments arising from them will then be considered.

The FA committee is hoping to make a final decision on the new structure in May or June, with the new system put in place for the beginning of the 2013/14 season.

Announcing the review at the start of the month, Mike Appleby, the FA’s leagues and clubs manager, said: “The leagues themselves have asked that Step 5 and 6 be reviewed and we are following this through but I reiterate that no decision has been made and will not be made until the consultation process has been completed.”

Meanwhile, Tadcaster Albion and Scarborough Athletic are among nine NCEL premier division clubs to have applied for promotion to Evo-Stik League division one north.

The promotion-chasing duo are joined by Bridlington Town, Brighouse Town, Parkgate, Retford United, Staveley Miners Welfare, Thackley and Winterton Rangers.

And Knaresborough Town, meanwhile, are one of seven teams to apply for a place in the NCEL first division.