OXFORD City may seek compensation after being placed in Blue Square Bet North next season.

City, who secured promotion to the Conference by winning the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division play-offs, were hoping to be placed in Blue Square Bet South, which would have entailed less travelling.

City chairman Brian Cox was not complaining after learning that they had been placed in the Northern Division, which will mean an extra 2,000-miles of round trips next season.

“Obviously, we would have preferred to be in the South, but we’re just happy to be in the Conference and playing in an excellent standard of football,” said Cox.

“I know last season Bishop’s Stortford were given £12,000 in compensation by the league when they were put in the North.

“We’ll certainly ask the league what the situation is now – £12,000 is quite a lot of money for a club like ours.

“I’m not too concerned about the extra distances, journeys to the Midlands and the North might be easier than those around London. At least we won’t have to cope with the M25!

“The only thing I’m worried about is the extra travelling might affect the number of fans we take to away games.”

Cox did not envisage City fixing up any overnight stays.

“Last year we travelled down to Truro and came back in the early hours. We may do so for Workington, but I don’t think so at this stage.”

Manager Mike Ford was positive about the teams they will be playing in 2012-13.

“I’m not worried at all about what division we’re in,” he said. “I’m chuffed to bits that we’re playing in this high standard of football after a fabulous season.”

Ford said he had already been give his budget for next season, but does not envisage making many new signings.

“I want to reward they players who got us here,” he said.

“Everybody from last season has re-signed apart from James Clarke, who is on holiday – and he’s indicated he will stay.

“So I’ll be making no more than three or four signings and now I know where we will be playing, I can start looking.”

In the meantime, City are building an extra three turnstiles and extending each dug-out so that they can contain 11 people, ahead of the new season.