Touble ahead for the ESL???

[FCFAN]

This link http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=70611 confirms the rumour that the Kent League has been granted permission to run a step 6 league from next season. Where does this leave the ESL? The FA's National Game body has a well declared intention to reduce the number of step 5 leagues. A previous proposal was to combine the ESL and the Kent League into a 2 division south east step 5 & 6 league i worry that the ESL is now out on a limb and when the FA is looking for leagues to downgrade might find itself on the hitlist..... I reiterate for any league officers that read this I'm not affiliated to any club I'm posting as a concerned ESL watcher, but I think this is something the league needs to be alive to.

 

Clubs interested in playing in Kent's new Step 6 league next season have until the end of October to register their interest.

 

The FA Leagues Committee have approved the formation of the Step 6 league in the county next season. As a result, the steering group which includes representatives from both the Safety Net Associates Kent League and the Vandanel Kent County League, have agreed to find out what teams want to join.

 

"We're delighted that the FA Leagues Committee has given Step 6 in Kent the go-ahead," said Safety Net Kent League chairman Denise Richmond. "We would actively encourage all clubs who have an interest to find out more and register their interest.

 

"These are exciting times and we'd like to support interested clubs as much as possible."

 

There will be a local Grade G entry level with a four-year plan for clubs to get to the national Grade G.

 

Clubs at Step 7 and below in the County League, as well as clubs from other leagues in Kent, will be contacted by FA National Leagues manager Mike Appleby.

 

Clubs will be asked to respond expressing their interest, on the understanding that they will meet the entry level criteria, and have the capacity to reach the national grade within four years.

 

The cut-off date for clubs to respond is October 31st with the aim that the new league will commence at the start of the 2011/12 season.