Lateral Movements
Thu 7th November 2024 | Announcements | By Martin Fallon
It is that time of the season where we start to see the potential makeup of teams for next season, with teams in the running for promotion or chasing relegation.
In an ideal world, this would mean a simple case of promotion or relegation to a particular league, but as we know all too well here in the North West of England, it can also lead to lateral movements between leagues where teams are moved sideways from one league to another.
With so many clubs in our footprint, two First Division sides promoting two teams each to Step 5, plus the fact that the Northern Premier League (West) can relegate up to four teams to us, teams in our region are likely to be at risk of this.
Lateral movements in recent years have included Kendal Town to the Northern League, Shelley and Campion to the Northern Counties East League, and our reigning First Division South Champions Brocton to the Midland League.
We have also been on the other end of it, with current member teams Allscott Heath, Shawbury United and Wolverhampton Sporting Community all being laterally moved to us last summer.
The FA have asked us to remind clubs as to the lateral movement process – both from a perspective of a Club making a request (Reg 6.2) and that were lateral movement may be enforced (Reg 6.1). The relevant Regulations are as follows:
6. THE MOVEMENT OF CLUBS WITHIN THE NLS OTHER THAN BY PROMOTION OR RELEGATION
6.1 Movement of a Club from participation in one League to another is not permitted other than by promotion and relegation or otherwise as set out in these Regulations or League Rules save with the approval of the Committee.
It may be necessary from time to time to move Clubs laterally at the same Step. Each year the Committee (or sub-committee thereof) will consider whether any lateral movements may be necessary at each Step and the final decision shall rest with the Committee / sub-committee. Only a Club subject to lateral movement from one League to another may appeal that decision pursuant to Regulation 8.2(b).
6.2 If a Club wishes to move to either: (a) another division at the Step of the NLS at which its current division operates, or (b) another division at a Step of the NLS below that at which its current division operates, that Club must make an application in writing to the Committee on or before 31st March in each year to be effective for the following Playing Season. In the event of such application being successful the League from which the Club is moving (if applicable) shall not levy a financial penalty on that Club.
Clubs who therefore wish to be considered for lateral movement, under Regulation 6.2, are required to complete the application form which can be found here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/06f85ebc97454c4f9e6ecbbe910e0de4
Lateral Movements
Thu 7th November 2024 | Announcements
By Martin Fallon
It is that time of the season where we start to see the potential makeup of teams for next season, with teams in the running for promotion or chasing relegation.
In an ideal world, this would mean a simple case of promotion or relegation to a particular league, but as we know all too well here in the North West of England, it can also lead to lateral movements between leagues where teams are moved sideways from one league to another.
With so many clubs in our footprint, two First Division sides promoting two teams each to Step 5, plus the fact that the Northern Premier League (West) can relegate up to four teams to us, teams in our region are likely to be at risk of this.
Lateral movements in recent years have included Kendal Town to the Northern League, Shelley and Campion to the Northern Counties East League, and our reigning First Division South Champions Brocton to the Midland League.
We have also been on the other end of it, with current member teams Allscott Heath, Shawbury United and Wolverhampton Sporting Community all being laterally moved to us last summer.
The FA have asked us to remind clubs as to the lateral movement process – both from a perspective of a Club making a request (Reg 6.2) and that were lateral movement may be enforced (Reg 6.1). The relevant Regulations are as follows:
6. THE MOVEMENT OF CLUBS WITHIN THE NLS OTHER THAN BY PROMOTION OR RELEGATION
6.1 Movement of a Club from participation in one League to another is not permitted other than by promotion and relegation or otherwise as set out in these Regulations or League Rules save with the approval of the Committee.
It may be necessary from time to time to move Clubs laterally at the same Step. Each year the Committee (or sub-committee thereof) will consider whether any lateral movements may be necessary at each Step and the final decision shall rest with the Committee / sub-committee. Only a Club subject to lateral movement from one League to another may appeal that decision pursuant to Regulation 8.2(b).
6.2 If a Club wishes to move to either: (a) another division at the Step of the NLS at which its current division operates, or (b) another division at a Step of the NLS below that at which its current division operates, that Club must make an application in writing to the Committee on or before 31st March in each year to be effective for the following Playing Season. In the event of such application being successful the League from which the Club is moving (if applicable) shall not levy a financial penalty on that Club.
Clubs who therefore wish to be considered for lateral movement, under Regulation 6.2, are required to complete the application form which can be found here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/06f85ebc97454c4f9e6ecbbe910e0de4
