The new league, which will involve 12 teams, was to be named yesterday (Thursday) but due to Portadown’s highly controversial late application controversy, it’s believed the powers that be in Belfast have opted to take another week to sort the matter out.

Sources have confirmed that the clubs will be made aware of their futures next Thursday, May 15th.

Portadown, who boast a lengthy tradition in the Irish League, lodged their application to the Invitational League over 15 minutes after the deadline on March 31st and, as a result, that application was not taken into consideration for a place in the top 12.

Since then, the Shamrock Park club have appealed that decision and a number of other clubs pointing to their history within the league and the fact that they will be spending in the region of £2 million to upgrade their ground. However, there are a number of other clubs anxiously awaiting the outcome of that appeal.

Indeed, among those clubs are Institute, Donegal Celtic and First Division representatives, Bangor, as many believe that two from those three will be admitted if Portadown are dumped out.

However, if Ronnie McFall’s side are accepted, then there’s no doubt that Court proceedings be instigated immediately.