Ground Grading Regulations

[GarySTFC]

Some points taken from http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/pdf/the%20fa%202016-17/ground%20grading/grade-b-may-2016.ashx?la=en - Grade B is for the National League North/South should we ever be in the position for promotion out of the Southern Premier Division and trying to keep ground discussion in here rather than in the FA Cup draw thread The full list for all the gradings is available at http://www.thefa.com/my-football/club-leagues/ground-grading

 

National League North/South (Step 2): 

The Stadium must have a minimum capacity of 3,000 calculated by a competent person in accordance with the guidance given in the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide). There must also be potential to increase the capacity to 4,000 in the future and a Club must, by the 31st March following the date of inspection, demonstrate how this capacity can be achieved.

 

(Relative to 3G pitches) From season 2016/17 only Clubs with FIFA recommended Two star/FIFA Quality Pro pitches will be eligible to take part in matches under the auspices of National League (ie NLS Steps 1 and 2) SAVE THAT a Club which has a ground with the recommended FIFA 1 star/FIFA Quality or IATS/IMS certificate can be promoted to Step 2 of the National League System, provided that it undertakes, upon renewal of the pitch, to install a pitch with a FIFA recommended Quality Pro certificate. 

 

Covered accommodation, which should preferably be on at least 2 sides of the ground, must be of sound construction of timber/steel/brick/concrete or any combination of these materials. Existing timber stands are only acceptable subject to a fire risk assessment conducted by a competent person. The minimum covered accommodation must be 500, of which at least 250 shall be seats located in one stand. These seats may be inclusive of Directors/Committee and press seating. 

 

Promotion and promotion play-offs: To qualify for promotion to the National League by winning the respective NORTH/SOUTH Championship and for the club to participate in the promotion play off matches, the ground must achieve a Category “B” Grading together with 500 seats under cover by 31st March in each season. These seats may be in two stands, with no stand having less than 100 seats.

[Irishadrian]

Thanks Gary for that research Puzzling that Hungerford have a declared capacity of 1500 and Margate and Whytleafe around 2000 Im sure there are more 3000 min ???

[HorshamRebel]

In the case of Hungerford, they have until March 31st 2017 to get their ground up to the National South standards.... No. Seats, capacity, etc.

 

When they are graded at the start of the season they have to show proof that they have plans (for actual work) in place to meet that deadline.

 

It was the same with us when we were promoted to the Southern Premium with the seats behind the goal to meet our extra requirements at that time.

[David Carpenter]

And with Truro who I recall tried to get out of their obligations for a while. The original rules were that if you intended to apply for promotion by dint of league position then you had to get your ground to the required standard by the March 31st preceding the hoped for promotion. This was considered too punitive and hence the current requirements. 

[Curtis]

So nothing to stop us being promoted.... great, let's crack on, get behind the team, increase attendances (by encouraging friends and family along) and win the league.

[Reading Rebel]

So nothing to stop us being promoted.... great, let's crack on, get behind the team, increase attendances (by encouraging friends and family along) and win the league.

 

 

Steady on Curtis, you'll be one of Kirks favourites with talk like that.

[Curtis]

Just pleased to see that whether we are promoted or not will be down to performance on the pitch and not our ground capacity.