Hebburn Town apply for one of the three promotion spots on offer in Ebac Northern League Division One

The Hornets, Stockton Town and Shildon were all invited to apply for elevation into a new Northern Premier League division as part of an FA restructure of the non-league system.

Stockton were the first of the trio to reveal they have submitted their application to the governing body on Tuesday night – and both Hebburn and Stockton followed their lead on Wednesday morning.

The move sets up the tantalising prospect of all three clubs joining North East rivals Dunston UTS and Marske United in a new ‘North Division’ at step four of the non-league system.

The Football Association are expected to announce the constitutions for all non-league divisions by the third week of May and that will confirm that the Northern League trio will ply their trade at step four for the first time in their history.

Hebburn chairman Vin Pearson is excited by the prospect of seeing the club reach a new level and hailed the move as “an exciting time for our town.”

He told the Gazette: “It’s unbelievable to be honest with you.

“I remember when we moved into the Northern League and I never thought that Hebburn Town would get to Wembley.

“Now we have a move into the Northern Premier League, which is exciting for us and it’s a new adventure.

“We look forward to seeing Marske United and Dunston because we have a lot of good friends there.

“It’s an exciting time for the region, it’s an exciting time for our town and long may it continue.”

The application for promotion marks the next step in the development of the club.

It is only three years since Hebburn put out an appeal calling for support as a drop in attendances threatened their future.

New owners and an increase in supporters have heralded a new era on South Tyneside and Pearson is grateful for what he has witnessed since those dark days.

“We have to thank the owners because they have rejuvenated the club,” he explained.

“The supporters too, they follow us around the country in their numbers, they give us their backing at home.

“We couldn’t be where we are, or where we are heading, without them.”

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