League Changes

[Andy Walsh]

From www.thisisessex.co.uk

 

After years of wrangling, agreement has been reached by leading non-league competitions on the future of the game.

 

As a result the Nationwide Conference, Ryman, Dr Martens and Unibond Leagues have joined forces to set-up a new Football Alliance which will administer the new Conference Division Two North and South.

 

This new competition will be made up of 24 teams each and will come into effect for the 2004/05 season -- ending Conference hopes that it could start next season.

 

Canvey Island, Grays and Purfleet were among clubs who paid a four-figure fee to the Conference to register for the new Conference Division Two. Billericay Town did not, believing, correctly as it happens, that the plan would not start next term.

 

The changes will have a major effect on the current domestic leagues. If the Conference Second Divisions take on average 16 clubs from each of the feeder leagues it could well see the likes of Great Wakering Rovers, Aveley, Tilbury and East Thurrock United preparing for Premier soccer in a year's time.

 

 

[Guest]

More like we didn't have the cash !!

[Paul King]

So does that mean we will stay in the ryman league, whilst the likes of cavey,basingstoke,purfleet,hedon etc.... will be in the new conferece? if we don't pay?

[c'mon ricay]

Innlegg slettet av BTFC Norway

[Simon BTFC]

The money was for entry this coming season - subject to FA approval - we said "no chance of that happening" so didn't pay. The FA didn't approve so we were right. As the press statement (posted here said the requirements for entry to the new leagues will be announced before next season. It'll be the usual things - league position, ground grading etc.

[Guest]

I was under the impression that the conference slapped on a £1,000 fee for joining the new set-up. 65 clubs applied for the new conference (which is refundable), but somewhere along the line they have £65,000 sitting in a bank earning interest.

[CANV EFM]

i think it was more than a grand to sign up.. but this wasnt to make money, merely to prove to the F.A., ryman and D.M. herberts, the desire of non league clubs for this revamp of the league structure.. what simon said is correct concerning riccays non payment, and if money is tight, as it appears to be, then this was in hindsight a good call

[Guest]

The clubs finances and accounts are also taken into account for the Conference.

[jl]

i think the main issue here is that to be certain of getting into conf div 2 south or whatever its gonna be called we have to finish in the top 16 of our league next year...it has to be said that in the present situation this is anything but a racing certainty..we have to make sure we are properly and sensibly sorted out for next year.