A new team called Witney Academy FC have been accepted into the Hellenic League and will play in Division 1 West next season.

The Academy side were one of two new clubs elected at the league's annual meeting, the other being Gloucester United.

Witney Academy have been formed as a support club to Witney Town, of the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

Although a separate entity from Town, with different officials, they will play at their Marriotts Stadium ground.

The side will be organised by former Witney players Paul Lewis and Kenny Clarke and will be run on the lines of a nursery club. Witney chairman Brian Constable explained: "It will fill the gap between the Allied Counties Youth League and the Dr Martens. The Academy will use our youngsters to bring them on and also some of our first-teamers who are coming back from injuries.

"I think it is an excellent idea." Milton United, who finished bottom of the Hellenic Premier Division last season, have escaped relegation, due to the expansion of the division from 19 to 20 teams and Banbury's elevation to the Dr Martens League.

The two promoted clubs in the division are Cheltenham Saracens and Wootton Bassett Town.

Following the merger with the Chiltonian League, the Hellenic League will now be sponsored by Cherry Red Records, a sister company of their old sponsors, Complete Music.

Quarry Nomads, like all the Chiltonian sides, will play in Division 1 East next season.

Meanwhile, the Hellenic League are invoking a player personal accident insurance scheme for those member clubs who do not have a policy of their own.