PICKERING Town are among five clubs from the Northern Counties East League premier division who have applied to be considered for promotion to the Evo-Stik League next summer, writes Ian Appleyard.

The Pikes, who visit Rainworth on Saturday (3pm), are enjoying a fine season under Paul Marshall and chairman Wayne Taylor told the Gazette the application was a sign of the growing ambition at Mill Lane.

The Pikes have never won the NCEL premier division and have not finished inside the top two for 23 years. But a victory last night against Harrogate Railway would have propelled them to third place – 10 points adrift of leaders Cleethorpes Town but with two games in hand.

The other four clubs to apply to the FA are Cleethorpes and promotion rivals Bridlington Town, Handsworth Parramore and Thackley.

Said Taylor: “It is the first time we have looked in a position to challenge for the title at this stage. You have to pay to apply but we are in the top five and have a realistic chance, so we’ve got to be ambitious.”