FOUR clubs from the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League made applications before the December 31 deadline to move up from level five to level four football.

Elvin King

FOUR clubs from the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League made applications before the December 31 deadline to move up from level five to level four football.

They are Needham Market, Lowestoft Town, Leiston and Tiptree.

Leiston have publicly confirmed that they are wary of committing themselves to a move up until they know how much travelling would be involved.

But they have made an application to cover themselves.

While three of the four would head for the Southern League, Tiptree would move into the Ryman League set-up.

Only teams who finish in the top two will be considered for advancement, and with 14 level five leagues feeding into six level four leagues the opportunity to progress is limited - with one club maximum from each league.

It has been confirmed that there are

60 applications this season, with Ridgeons champions Soham moving up to Division One Midlands section of the British Gas Southern League last summer.

Ambitious Needham's hopes of a move up were dashed when pipped for the title by Soham. Danny Laws' side would cover much more ground if they make it to the next level this year.

Currently they do less travelling than any other side in the top flight of the Ridgeons League with 777 miles. Wisbech have the furthest to travel with 1,292 miles to negotiate in the course of a season.

The biggest travellers in the whole of the country are Barrow in the Blue Square Premier who will clock up 5,733 miles this season, 11 more than Plymouth Argyle in the Coca-Cola Championship.

AFC Sudbury and Bury Town were switched into the midland section from the Ryman League Division One Nor

th last summer, meaning much more travelling for them.

Last season's FA Vase finalists Lowestoft appear keen - like Needham - to make advancements up the ladder and much could depend on which side finishes top of the table.