FOREST football teams will play more games next season in the North Gloucestershire League after clubs unanimously approved plans to drop Division Four.

As previously reported in The Forester, the league saw a number of teams drop out over the 2016/17 season.

The move, which was widely expecting, sees the league reduce the number of divisions from five to four.

It means that the Premier Division and Division Three, the new bottom tier of Forest football, will both carry 15 teams each while Division One and Division Two will have 14 teams each.

Officials at the North Gloucestershire League felt it the move was the best way to ensure a full calendar of football.

“It was a hard decision to make,” said league chairman Roger Sansom at the annual general meeting .

“We don’t want to lose a division but we felt it was necessary for everyone’s sake.”

The North Glouestershire League season will begin on Saturday August 19.

North Gloucestershire League constitution 2017/18

Premier Division: Bream, Broadwell Reserves, Coleford Town, Ellwood, Harrow Hill Reserves, Howle Hill, Huntley, Lydbrook Athletic Reserves, Lydney Town A, Mushet & Coalway United, Redbrook Rovers, Soudley, Staunton & Corse, Westbury United, Yorkley.

Division One: Blakeney, Coleford Town Reserves, English Bicknor Reserves, Harrow Hill A, Milkwall, Mitcheldean Reserves, Redmarley,Ruardean Hill Rangers Reserves, Tidenham, Viney St Swithins, Westbury United Reserves, Whitecroft Reserves, Woolaston Reserves, Worrall Hill.

Division Two: Bream Reserves, Broadwell A, Longhope, Lydbrook Athletic A, Milkwall Reserves, Mushet & Coalway Reserves, Puma, Rank Outsiders, Redbrook Rovers Reserves, Ross Juniors, Ruardean Hill Rangers A, Ruardean United, Sedbury United, Whitecroft A.

Division Three: Blakeney Reserves, Ellwood Reserves, Harrow Hill B, Littledean, Lydney Town B, Mitcheldean A, Newent Town A, Newnham United, Rank Outsiders Reserves, Sling, St Briavels, Staunton & Corse Reserves, Tidenham Reserves, Viney St Swithins Reserves, Yorkley Reserves.