Lots if reports the clubs agreed a new format for our division last week. Everyone plays everyone once then the league splits into two. The top half play off for promotion, the rest for a best of the rest trophy. (Unofficial best of the semi pro teams down south title.)

So, probably less northern trips, fewer mismatches and fewer games, giving teams weeks off. The negatives seem to be fewer games so less gate money - a bigger worry for the traditional teams perhaps, and it may make it harder / more expensive to get northern players as the second half of the season could see all the matches down south.

Something had to be done and this looks a better bet than this seasons format. We bumped into Skolars at Leicester Forest East. They probably weren't going to get back to the ground until well gone 22.00 and looked pretty fed up - understandably. Hopefully a more competitive league will be more enjoyable for the players too. If they decide enough is enough.......

Edited to say whoever doesn't get Toulouse away may be a bit upset as they must be likely to storm straight through the division.

We also bumped into Skolars at Leicester Forest East. If they will take two-hour stops, they must expect to get back late.

Anyway, I want Toulouse at home because it will be an easy way to attract more people to come along.

Can't seen any official announcements, but I've just read elsewhere something pretty similar to what Halfdan said. Might be in League Express, which I won't see until Tuesday night. Supposedly agreed by all League 1 clubs, so Doncaster and Hunslet might get a fait accompli.

There would be 15 teams including Toulouse, which means 14 games at first and a bye week. 7 away games might mean only 3 or 4 long trips. The split is then top 8 for play-offs and other 7 for a shield. So that's 7 or 6 more games, which makes a decent season. Might well be a top 4 play-off as well, I guess. The final could be called the £10,000 game.

League 1 Cup to stay as well. Wonder if they will remember to regionalise the draw next year?