The Alliance League has always been a vital element in any club with genuine ambitions to grow and succeed. It provides a vital stepping-stone to first team football for trialists looking for a break, provides vital match practice for players playing their way back to fitness and it provides a forum for squad players to push for first team places. Strong clubs (not 'teams') have traditionally had this second tier in which they can hone players of the future or provide waning pros with an opportunity to put something back into the game, passing on experience to youngsters.

It also offers an opportunity for fans to have a look at the players they don't see week in week out, provides an environment for kids to observe and learn the game at close quarters without the hubub of first team matchday - and, at a couple of quid a head, contributes a little towards the coffers of the club. So, for player development, squad fitness, supporter benefit - and the chance for a club to perhaps win something - you'd imagine that 'A' team football was pretty important.

Which is probably why those parsimonious, team-not-club-focused club representatives who don't know one end of a Mitre Multiplex from another voted to 'kill off' 'A' Team football back in the late Summer. Talking to Ray Taylor in the aftermath of the decision, he was aghast that these people could simply toss away such an important part of the game's infrastructure and was adamant that, if he had anything to do with it, a new competition involving clubs with slightly more visionary chairmen, would emerge as soon as possible.

So, despite the brainless attempt to kill off Alliance football, six National League sides - including Hornets - will commence a new competition in the week ending January 19th.

In the first stage, teams have been paired with local rivals and will play them home and away. The pairings are HORNETS v Oldham; Workington v Gateshead and Batley v Dewsbury. After the initial home and away ties, teams will play the other four teams in the competition once for a total of six games. This phase is expected to be complete by March 30.

Once league positions have been decided, the top four will play off 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 to find two Alliance Grand Finalists who will contest the final on Saturday 13th April.

Both York and Sheffield have already been attracted by the idea of a competitive Alliance League and have expressed a strong interest in playing friendly fixtures during the interim period. It is expected that other clubs will see the benefit of running a second string and return in time for the full season proper which is scheduled to start after the Challenge Cup final. The season will also include a knockout cup competition.