A meeting of the UniBond League member clubs has approved the management committee's recommendation to comply with an FA Leagues Committee finding.

This means that the first division will, as widely expected, be split into two 18-club sections for the coming season confirming that Bradford Park Avenue will be rivals of FC United of Manchester.

FC United were formed by disgruntled supporters of the Old Trafford giants in the wake of the takeover by the Glazer family. They have a huge following, play at Bradford City's Coca-Cola League Two rivals Bury's ground and have rocketed through the non-league pyramid.

Having won the championships of the divisions they have been in to win promotion every year since they formed, they will once again be hot favourites. That will mean it will be tough for Avenue to gain automatic promotion but they are looking forward to the challenge.

Avenue boss Benny Phillips, no stranger to Gigg Lane as a former Bury player, said: "If FC Untied are everyone's tip, then let them get on with it. They can have all the added pressure that goes with that tag.

"We will just get on with what we are looking to achieve. We will just go about our own job and work hard to get what we want and will be bringing in players to strengthen our squad.

"That would have been easier if we had gone up last season (they lost out in the play-offs) but I think we still have a lot to offer the players we want."

Avenue chairman John Dean added his acknowledgement of FC United's potential but hinted that his club are fully able to respond to the threat the newcomers carry.

"FC Untied have done well and their achievements have been noticed, so we realise the UniBond Division One North will be a tough division next season," said Dean.

"It wouldn't surprise me that FC were tipped as the club to win it but they won't have it all their own way, I can assure you. The higher they climb up the pyramid system, the more their progress will slow down.

"It is like swimming against the tide and the nearer you get to the Football League, the stronger and fitter you have to be to make any headway."

Curzon Ashton, who were promoted from North West Counties Division One alongside FC United last season, Garforth Town - who are managed by former Southampton coach and Brazilian Soccer Schools founder Simon Clifford - and strong north-east outfit Newcastle Blue Star are also elevated to Avenue's division.

Lancaster City were Avenue's rivals in Conference North in its inaugural season but have endured problems on and off the field and they have also been confirmed as UniBond Division One North members in the coming term.

Retford United and Sheffield, who, like Garforth, came up through the Northern Counties East Premier Division, have been accepted into the South section.