An announcement last week confirmed that the recently promoted North East club had withdrawn from the league ahead of the start of next season.

But the timing of the decision – days after the league's AGM – has prevented a club from being moved into the top tier to ensure it retains its full complement of 22 teams.

So, for the second time in three years, the Premier Division will operate with 21 clubs at most.

And worse could yet follow, with the news that King's Lynn, demoted into the UniBond Premier Division from the Blue Square South, intend to appeal.

Buxton FC Chairman Tony Tomlinson said: "This is indeed bad news for the Premier Division clubs, as our finances will take a hit from the loss of one, and even possibly two, home games.

"We have budgeted for 21 home league games and our outgoings will still be pretty much the same, so again I must appeal to our fans to rally round to support our fund-raising ventures, particularly the Mega Bucks lottery and the annual golf day on August 20."

* Buxton's pre-season training has got underway.

And putting the players through their paces was ex-Leeds United assistant manager and Malawi national team coach Michael Hennigan.

He was brought in by Buxton manager John Reed to work with the players during their first three training sessions last week.

The club's contracted players were joined in training by Danny Reet, Chris Wood and Paul Walker.

Reed has also given trials to a number of players with experience at both Football League and non-league clubs.

* Ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Alfreton winger Scott Ellis, who finished last season with a loan spell at Thackley, has moved on to Hucknall Town.

And ex-Silverlands favourite Jon Froggatt, who had been expected to return to the Bucks for pre-season training, has now signed for playoff winners Ilkeston Town, newly promoted to the Blue Square North.