Restructuring -Step 3 or 4!!!

[slough_womble]

It has been confirmed by the FA that the restructuring of the non-league will take effect from this season so what does that mean...

 

At present the Essex Senior League is step 4 of the non-league pyramid.

 

So if win league (even 2nd would be enough depending on ground grading)

teams will be 'promoted' to the Ryman (Isthmian) League Division 1 South step 3.

 

Wrong - Teams would be playing in Div 1 of Ryman or Southern(Dr.Martens) League but will STILL be in step 4.

 

Confused, what has happened is a new step (Conference North and South) has been placed knocking the rest of the structure down a step. Unfair maybe but the annoying thing is teams finishing 14th to 18th in the Ryman Prem AND the Champions of Div.1 Ryman will play-off for to places in the new league. Yet we don't get the chance to play-off for a place in the Premier.

 

So if like me feel that Iilford/Enfield Town, AFC Wimbledon, Beaconsfield SYCOB, Cray Wanderers , Winchester City, Diss Town and Paulton Rovers should play-off with lets say the 7th placed teams in Div 1 South and North for a place in the Premier (step 3) then email the following:-

 

chairman@isthmian.co.uk

and

secretary@isthmian.co.uk

 

The more fans who email the more they may look at it.....

[The Invisible Man]

But what about the court case?

[Ron Merlin]

Isthmian appeal defeated - link:

 

http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsFromTheFA/Postings/2004/02/NationalLeague_Restructuring.htm

 

Or read here:

 

Restructure confirmed

Thursday, 26 February 2004.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arbitration Tribunal which heard the Isthmian League's challenge to the restructuring of the National League System today announced that it has unanimously dismissed their claims.

 

The Tribunal was made up of three very senior legal figures, including former senior law lord Lord Browne-Wilkinson.

 

"The FA is of course pleased that our decision and processes have been upheld by the Tribunal. However, the most important point is that we, together with the Alliance partners, can now look to the future and get on with the vital reorganisation of football at this level", Nic Coward, The FA's Director of Corporate and Legal Affairs told us.

 

The FA believes the new system will raise standards, create more excitement through play-offs, and deliver more consistent rules, regulations and ground grading requirements.

 

A key principle has been to ensure that the National League System will be fair and equitable for clubs irrespective of their geographic position in the country. Uppermost in The FA's decision-making and consultation throughout this process was that change should not take place for change’s sake, but only if it would bring long-term benefits for the game.

 

At a meeting in May 2003 the Football Conference and the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues’ 'Alliance' agreed to recommend to the National League System Committee a new structure and a timetable to achieve it. This proposal includes the following key features:-

 

- 22 clubs per league

- Play-offs at each step down to step 4

- Better linkages throughout the league structure

- A semi-national step between the Conference and step 3

- Remove leagues within a league

- Deliver more consistent rules, regulations, ground grading and promotion/relegation through play-offs

 

This structure was considered by the National League System Committee at their meeting on 9th May 2003 and approved by The FA Council at its Summer Meeting on 21st June 2003. It will now be implemented with effect from the start of season 2004-05.

 

 

[Southport - TOWNER]

so what about ground grading who sets the criteria? If we stay at level 4 does the crieria stay the same?