LUDLOW and Church Stretton continue their neck-and-neck West Midlands Division Two promotion race this weekend – but both could be part of a totally new league next season.

The Salop Leisure Football League has been set up by the Shropshire Football Association – and is set to take in a number of teams from the West Midlands League’s bottom two divisions.

The West Midlands League will no longer be part of the non-league pyramid next season due to an FA restructure – eliminating the chance for progression – but the new Shropshire League will.

Stretton and Ludlow – currently level on points in second and third in Division Two – both confirmed to the Advertiser they are looking at switching leagues.

Any resignation from the West Midlands League must be submitted before the end of March and Ludlow boss Chris Waldron admitted: “We are considering it.

“We haven’t made our minds up yet but it will be going to a club committee meeting later this week where a decision will be made. On paper it looks a good thing and there will be more local derbies.”

Stretton boss Scott Peever added: “We are keeping our options open but on paper it sounds a fantastic idea.

“If it’s well-run I can see the benefit of it as the league would be more localised and competitive. If it’s done properly, it could be really good for Shropshire football.

“If it’s going to be a sideways move, that’s okay but we don’t want to move backwards – we left the Shropshire League to try to progress as a club after all.”

Each will put aside those thoughts this Saturday as the promotion battle continues as Ludlow – 2-0 winners at basement side AFC Bridgnorth through Jack Marston’s brace – host Walsall Town Swifts.

Stretton, meanwhile, visit fifth-placed Newport Town buoyed by a 2-0 win at Warstones Wanderers courtesy of Dean Richards’ double from the penalty spot.

The chairman of Ludlow’s tenants, Shawbury United, meanwhile, told the Advertiser the Shropshire League is not an option for his West Midlands Premier Division club.

But Dave Richards admitted the dissolution of their current division leaves Shawbury at the mercy of the restructure organisers.

“Come the end of the season, we are going to be put in a league in a ‘like it or lump it’ kind of way,” admitted Richards.

“We’d have to drop down two leagues to apply to the Shropshire League which isn’t an option – the Midland League is where we would like to move into as we want to maintain our pyramid status.”