"It's never been suggested before, but that's something our board would consider if we were looking for a venue in the south,'' Football Mid North Coast chairman Mr Parsons said.

Improvements to lighting, internal fencing and the installation of an electronic scoreboard have been carried out at the Neal Oval since the end of the last football season following an infusion of funds from the State government.

Taree City Bulls will eventually lease the ground from its owners, Taree Leagues and Sports Club and president, Mal Dixon, is keen to get other sporting groups to use the oval.

The Regional Stadium at Port Macquarie usually hosts the FMNC premier league grand finals.

However, the stadium is a much sought after facility by a number of sporting groups. FMNC has been forced to move the grand finals to other venues in the past because the stadium has been booked.

Tuncurry's Harry Elliott Oval has hosted matches while Taree Wildcats won the 2009 grand final when it was played at Omaru Park.

Football Mid North Coast has upgraded the zone field at Taree Recreation Centre and there are plans for more improvements there in the future. Southern domestic competition grand finals have been played there although Mr Parsons said it would be unlikely premier league grand finals would be held there in the immediate future.

Mr Parsons said the Neal Oval would come into calculations as it is fenced while the upgraded facilities there would be a further attraction.

While primarily a rugby league venue, the Neal Oval has hosted grand finals conducted by the former Manning Soccer Association along with Lower North Coast Rugby Union deciders in the past.

Mr Parsons understands the Group Three season usually finishes at least three weeks before the Football Mid North Coast Premier League so if the Neal Oval was required during the Group Three finals series there would still be adequate time to ensure the ground surface was suitable to host a premier league grand final.

"Should the situation arise then we'd certainly be happy to sit down and discuss the matter with the relevant people,'' he said.

Mr Parsons admits the number of fields within the Football Mid North Coast area that lack adequate facilities, including lighting, seating and canteen/dressing sheds is frustrating. FMNC stretches from Forster-Tuncurry to Kempsey.

"This is something we as a board will be looking at. We intend to get more pro-active when it comes to seeking government grants to improve our grounds,'' he said.

FOOTBALL Mid North Coast will consider playing a finals series between the leading four teams from the southern and northern YD1 (under 17/18) competitions this year, chariman Mike Parsons said.

However, Mr Parsons said there are no plans yet to merger any northern and souther competitions in any age division.

Mr Parsons said a four team finals series involving the two two teams from the north and south could be played this year.

"We can't make a decision yet until we see the number of registrations we get,'' he said.

"But this is certainly something we are looking at.''

Mr Parsons said the grand final would probably be played on the premier league program in later September, although this has also to be confirmed.

However, he said there will be a YD1 game played on that day as was the case in 2015.

"It proved to be very successful last year and we will continue going forward with that idea,'' he said.

He said it will depend on when the YD1 finals series starts as to whether the grand final would coincide with the premier league.

"We wouldn't want the teams involved to be waiting a couple of weeks to play their grand final,'' he said.

He said the premier league grand final day could feature a clash between the zone champions (minor premiers) from the northern and southern areas, as was the case last year.

mick.mcdonald@fairdaxmedia.com.au