The expansion of the league, into which the Rebels have just been promoted, has brought a shortfall of clubs, with just 18 in the First Division North.
That would have meant 34 fixtures, so to make up the number to 42, the division will be split into two groups on geographical lines and the nine teams in those two groups will each play an extra match against each other.
The league's management committee meet on Saturday to decide on the final geographical split, but it seems likely that the Pennines will be used as a natural divider.
The problem with that is there are only seven clubs on the Yorkshire side of the hills, so at least two from the north west will be forced to join the "Yorkshire" group, a situation no-one wants as it could involve two long trips to play Newcastle Blue Star.
The complicated structure has already come under fire, with Skelmersdale United chairman Frank Hughes calling it a "Mickey Mouse" set-up.
FC general manager Andy Walsh also felt the split could give some teams an unfair advantage.
He said: "No-one knows yet what the exact split is, but we are told that there will be two conferences of nine clubs each, which means four extra home games and four extra away.
"The conferences will be chosen on the basis of proximity, but no-one is sure yet whether that means as the crow flies, road miles, or travelling time - they could deem Bury to be one of the eight clubs closest to the furthest club, Newcastle Blue Star, rather than putting us in with the likes of Curzon and Woodley.
"There are teams which are emerging as favourites for promotion, and if you end up in the same group as several of them, you are clearly at a disadvantage, as you will end up with three games against some of the better teams rather than just two."
Rebels should be among the favourites, but Curzon, Bradford PA and Newcastle have all seen significant investment.
FC will also enter the Manchester Premier Cup for the first time, as well as the FA Cup.
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Free Red, Manchester (14/06/2007 at 16:07)
shanny, Hyde, Cheshire (14/06/2007 at 16:11)
Johnniejohn, Tunbridge Wells (14/06/2007 at 17:04)
As for shammy, I would rather be mickey mouse'd than donald duck'd, which is what MU are thanks to the glazers and their greed induce debts
Mike (14/06/2007 at 21:41)
PC, wilmslow (15/06/2007 at 09:49)
Why not do it like they do in Jockland - After the 34 games split the division into top and bottom. The top 9 then play each other once, and likewise the bottom.
Free Red, Manchester (15/06/2007 at 12:27)
Free Red, Manchester (19/06/2007 at 10:04)
shanny, Hyde, Cheshire (19/06/2007 at 11:48)
Mike (19/06/2007 at 14:34)
who are they? the pot men and barrel changers?
Little Jockey (20/06/2007 at 08:05)
To help you join OUR forum...think before you comment...and maybe we might think you are a really clever articulate and interesting person. Go on try again....I am waiting.
Mike (20/06/2007 at 13:56)
I'm afraid I don't now, nor have I ever, had anything to do with Escariots such as yourself.
Duncan, London (20/06/2007 at 17:43)
Little Jockey (21/06/2007 at 08:28)
Dont be shy!!!
Free Red, Manchester (21/06/2007 at 09:22)
"The League have informed us that they hope to be able to publish the fixtures for the new season by Monday the 9th July. Many supporters have been in touch and asked why there is such a delay when other fixtures have already been announced, the reason is that the fixtures for the new season are drawn in order of league seniority with the Premier League making their announcement first, followed by The Championship, League One etc.
Next season FC United will be playing at Step 4 of the non-league pyramid. Following restructuring of the non-league pyramid at this level The Northern Premier League now consists of 22 teams in the Premier Division and 18 teams in each of the First Divisions North and South. The clubs joining us in the Northern Premier League First Division North will be:
Bamber Bridge, Bradford Park Avenue, Bridlington, Chorley, Clitheroe, Curzon Ashton, Garforth Town, Harrogate RA, Lancaster City, Mossley, Newcastle Blue Star, Ossett Albion, Radcliffe Borough, Rossendale United, Skelmersdale United, Wakefield, Woodley Sports.
Fellow promoted North West Counties side Nantwich have joined Northern Premier League First Division South and will be playing the likes of Quorn and Sheffield FC.
When the FA announced the details of the restructuring a number of clubs complained that a 34 game season was too short. To address this perceived shortfall the clubs decided to have an extra eight games; four to be played at home and four to be played away.
To facilitate these additional games each division will be split into two groups of nine clubs:
Group 'A' - Bamber Bridge, Chorley, Clitheroe, FC United of Manchester, Lancaster City, Radcliffe Borough, Rossendale United, Skelmersdale United, Woodley Sports.
Group 'B' - Bradford Park Avenue, Bridlington, Curzon Ashton, Garforth Town, Harrogate RA, Mossley, Newcastle Blue Star, Ossett Albion, Wakefield.
When the fixtures are announced we will be playing the teams in Group A three times (four at home twice and once away plus four away twice and once at home) and the teams in Group B just twice with all the points gained counting towards the championship total."
Further details on the restructuring can be found at www.tonykempster.co.uk/
Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (21/06/2007 at 20:59)
City Slicker, Bristol (22/06/2007 at 10:44)
City Slicker, Bristol (22/06/2007 at 10:46)
Boo of Salford, Exiled in Gateshead (22/06/2007 at 10:57)
Durham City dropped out due to the uncertainty of the make up of the league and decided to stay where they are in the Northern League.
Sad for me personally, as that would have been two local games for me.
Also, on the groups, surely FC are closer to the likes of NBS and BPA that Curzon..??
Free Red, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 14:46)
Little Jockey (22/06/2007 at 15:04)
Free Red, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 15:17)
I Would Rather Be Dead Than Red, Manchester (Not London, Asia, Irleand, Iraq, Kenya) (22/06/2007 at 22:57)
Mike (25/06/2007 at 09:41)
The hip pub kids are at Gigg Lane.
Free Red, Manchester (25/06/2007 at 09:56)
Jimmy Davis Memorial Cup,Studley FC - 14th July
Kidderminster Harriers - 21st July
Blackpool Mechanics - 22nd July
Nantwich Town FC - Saturday 28th July 2007
Trafford - 31st July
AFC Wimbledon - 4th August
Ashton United - 11th August
Mike (25/06/2007 at 17:14)
July 22nd, away at The Hare and Hounds Delph.
July 27th home (well, Bury's home anyway) to The Carters Arms.
August 3rd away at The Kings Head, Bacup.