FOOTBALL: Oxford City placed in Blue Square Bet North (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: Oxford City placed in Blue Square Bet North

9:50am Saturday 26th May 2012 in npower League Two Table & Results By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Oxford City will play in the Blue Square Bet North next season following a meeting of the Football Association’s Leagues Committee yesterday.

The club had been hoping to be placed in the south division, but were forced into the north after Kettering Town resigned due to financial problems.

That allowed Maidenhead to be reinstated and means Mike Ford’s side face some lengthy trips when the season kicks-off in August.

Their schedule will take them as far north as Workington in Cumbria, a mammoth round trip of 544 miles, while Brackley Town and Gloucester City will count as their shortest away days.

The greater travelling distance will have financial implications on City, who won promotion after winning the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division play-offs earlier this month.

Secretary John Sheppard commented: “Our preference was clearly for the south division, but it was not to be.

“It's disappointing, but we will just get on with it.”

Blue Square Bet North line-up.

Altrincham, Bishop’s Stortford, Boston United, Brackley Tn, Brad-ford Park Avenue, Chester, Colwyn Bay, Corby Town, Droylsden, FC Halifax Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Glou-cester City, Guiseley, Harrogate Town, Hinckley United, Histon, Oxford City, Solihull, Staly-bridge Celtic, Vauxhall Motors, Worcester City, Workington.

l More reaction in Monday’s Oxford Mail