Extra fixtures!

21/06/07

On the 30th May 2007 the UniBond League member clubs voted in favour of accepting the FA proposal for two regional First Divisions of 18 clubs for 2007-2008 on the grounds that the FA will work to ensure that the number of clubs is raised to 20 each division for 2008-2009 and to 22 each division by 2010-2011 at the latest.

This change created concern by those clubs involved that they would be seriously impacted by the reduced number of fixtures for next season.

Those member clubs impacted by the change were asked to decide whether they wished to accept the league fixture list consisting of the normal 17 home and 17 away fixtures (34 games) or, as an alternative, create an additional round of fixtures by placing the 18 clubs into 2 groups of 9 clubs, from which each of those 9 clubs would play a further round of fixtures, 4 home and 4 away. The clubs voted by a large majority to accept the further round of fixtures to bring the league programme to 42 games. This will apply, subject to FA approval, only to the fixtures for 2007-2008.

The proposed four groups, two in the First Division North, and two in the First Division South reads as follows.

GROUP A NORTH
Bamber Bridge
Chorley
Clitheroe
FC United of Mcr.
Lancaster City
Radcliffe Borough
Rossendale Utd
Skelmersdale Utd
Woodley Sports

GROUP B NORTH
Bradford PA
Bridlington T
Curzon Ashton
Garforth Town
Harrogate RA
MOSSLEY
Newcastle BS
Ossett Albion
Wakefield

GROUP C SOUTH
Alsager Town
Belper Town
Cammell Laird
Colwyn Bay
Kidsgrove Ath
Nantwich Town
Sheffield
Stocksbridge PS
Warrington T

GROUP D SOUTH
Brigg Town
Carlton Town
Goole FC
Grantham T
Gresley R
Quorn
Retford Utd
Shepshed Dynamo
Spalding Utd

The FA have indicated that they are very supportive to the additional round of fixtures but have yet to ratify this proposal.