National Leagues System Review
Thu 23rd July 2015 | General | By Ian Templeman
At the FA National Leagues Conference last weekend, an update on the review of The National League Structure was given.
League Vice-Chairman Geoff Wilkinson has summarised below the main points from the presentation.
The review had been undertaken as it is 10 years since the initial structure was put in place, and although the Step system has remained the same, there have been changes applied during that time including:
• Conference National increasing to 24 clubs
• Additional divisions at Step 4 for both the Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues
• Increase in club numbers at Step 3 from 22 to 24
• Increase in club numbers at Step 4 in two Isthmian League divisions from 22 to 24
• Introduction of lateral movement divisions at the same Step initially at Steps 2 to 4 and more recently at Step 5.
Where are we now?
One point that needs to be emphasised is that any increase in the size of divisions at Steps 1 to 4 was clearly a benefit to that level of the game.
The major impact fell on Step 5 and Step 6 competitions that have continually provided clubs for the spaces created above, with little coming through to them either from above or from Step 7.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, and there have been many benefits delivered, including:
• The creation of two semi-national divisions to aid the transition from regional to national football.
• Defined promotion and relegation pathway.
• Removal of regional anomalies.
• Establishment of play-off matches.
• Creation of feeder pools for promotion and relegation between the various Steps.
• Lateral movement of clubs between divisions at the same Step.
• The opportunity for all current Step 5 leagues to promote.
• Considering clubs down to 3rd position at Step 5 for promotion.
• Considering clubs down to 5th position at Step 7 for promotion.
• Establishment of a National ground grading criteria document.
• Relaxation of the Step 7 grading requirements.
While these developments are clearly beneficial, there remain some areas of concern including:
• The geographical benefit has been lost in some cases.
• The failure to establish a dedicated Midland League.
• Creating 24 club divisions at Step 3.
• A failure (maybe for the right reasons) to restructure Step 5.
The general opinion, which included the Step 5/6 Focus Group was that a 1-2-4-8-16 structure was the most logical, the main benefits of this being:
• More divisions at each Step could mean less travel/costs/time.
• More opportunity at each Step.
• More Step 5 divisions.
• More promotion opportunities BUT this does mean clubs finishing in promotion positions are required to move up!!!
The final recommendations from the National Leagues Committee were as follows:
• That Step 3 be reduced to 22 Clubs.
• That Step 4 comprise of four divisions of 22 clubs and two divisions of 24 (as at present).
• That Step 5 remain at 14 competitions with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 22 clubs.
• That Step 6 should comprise of a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 22 clubs.
• That Step 6 divisions should comprise of no more than 20% of reserve teams.
• That the introduction of Play-Offs at Step 5 be deferred.
• That individual leagues can decide upon the introduction of Play-Offs between their Step 5 & Step 6 divisions.
• That consideration be given to the relegation of the BOTTOM clubs in ALL divisions at ALL Steps.
Step 6 Leagues were also informed that a moratorium was in place for season 2015-16 with regard to clubs at Step 7 to be promoted irrespective of the position they finish in the League. This ruling is subject to the possibility of only one club being promoted from that League.
Any club at Step 7 wishing to apply to join the NWCFL for season 2016-17 can contact League Secretary John Deal at john.deal@nwcfl.com or Grading Chairman Geoff Wilkinson at geoff.wilkinson@nwcfl.com and request an advisory grading visit at no charge. The club must also include their League Secretary in any correspondence.
National Leagues System Review
Thu 23rd July 2015 | General
By Ian Templeman
At the FA National Leagues Conference last weekend, an update on the review of The National League Structure was given.
League Vice-Chairman Geoff Wilkinson has summarised below the main points from the presentation.
The review had been undertaken as it is 10 years since the initial structure was put in place, and although the Step system has remained the same, there have been changes applied during that time including:
• Conference National increasing to 24 clubs
• Additional divisions at Step 4 for both the Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues
• Increase in club numbers at Step 3 from 22 to 24
• Increase in club numbers at Step 4 in two Isthmian League divisions from 22 to 24
• Introduction of lateral movement divisions at the same Step initially at Steps 2 to 4 and more recently at Step 5.
Where are we now?
One point that needs to be emphasised is that any increase in the size of divisions at Steps 1 to 4 was clearly a benefit to that level of the game.
The major impact fell on Step 5 and Step 6 competitions that have continually provided clubs for the spaces created above, with little coming through to them either from above or from Step 7.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, and there have been many benefits delivered, including:
• The creation of two semi-national divisions to aid the transition from regional to national football.
• Defined promotion and relegation pathway.
• Removal of regional anomalies.
• Establishment of play-off matches.
• Creation of feeder pools for promotion and relegation between the various Steps.
• Lateral movement of clubs between divisions at the same Step.
• The opportunity for all current Step 5 leagues to promote.
• Considering clubs down to 3rd position at Step 5 for promotion.
• Considering clubs down to 5th position at Step 7 for promotion.
• Establishment of a National ground grading criteria document.
• Relaxation of the Step 7 grading requirements.
While these developments are clearly beneficial, there remain some areas of concern including:
• The geographical benefit has been lost in some cases.
• The failure to establish a dedicated Midland League.
• Creating 24 club divisions at Step 3.
• A failure (maybe for the right reasons) to restructure Step 5.
The general opinion, which included the Step 5/6 Focus Group was that a 1-2-4-8-16 structure was the most logical, the main benefits of this being:
• More divisions at each Step could mean less travel/costs/time.
• More opportunity at each Step.
• More Step 5 divisions.
• More promotion opportunities BUT this does mean clubs finishing in promotion positions are required to move up!!!
The final recommendations from the National Leagues Committee were as follows:
• That Step 3 be reduced to 22 Clubs.
• That Step 4 comprise of four divisions of 22 clubs and two divisions of 24 (as at present).
• That Step 5 remain at 14 competitions with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 22 clubs.
• That Step 6 should comprise of a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 22 clubs.
• That Step 6 divisions should comprise of no more than 20% of reserve teams.
• That the introduction of Play-Offs at Step 5 be deferred.
• That individual leagues can decide upon the introduction of Play-Offs between their Step 5 & Step 6 divisions.
• That consideration be given to the relegation of the BOTTOM clubs in ALL divisions at ALL Steps.
Step 6 Leagues were also informed that a moratorium was in place for season 2015-16 with regard to clubs at Step 7 to be promoted irrespective of the position they finish in the League. This ruling is subject to the possibility of only one club being promoted from that League.
Any club at Step 7 wishing to apply to join the NWCFL for season 2016-17 can contact League Secretary John Deal at john.deal@nwcfl.com or Grading Chairman Geoff Wilkinson at geoff.wilkinson@nwcfl.com and request an advisory grading visit at no charge. The club must also include their League Secretary in any correspondence.
