Leagues agreed for 2008/09 season

30/05/08

The FA's Leagues Committee has announced the divisions' make-up
Weston-super-Mare have been reprieved from relegation from Blue Square South after Cambridge City lost their appeal over their enforced demotion.

The Football Association upheld the Conference's decision to relegate Cambridge for failing to achieve the FA's Ground Grading Category B. City will now play in the BGB Southern Premier Division next season.

Earlier, the FA's Leagues Committee had decided to relocate Worcester City and Redditch United to Blue Square South.

The switch was made following the relegation of four northern clubs from the Blue Square Premier - although the decision is subject to change.

It must be ratified at the Conference's Annual General Meeting on 7 June.

A number of other issues must also be resolved before the make-up of next season's divisions is finalised.

ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED

Halifax Town, who were in Blue Square Premier last season, are on the brink of liquidation, and have not been placed in the first four levels of the "Pyramid" by the FA - thus reprieving four teams from relegation - Altrincham (Blue Square Premier), Hucknall Town (Blue Square North), Boreham Wood (Ryman Premier Division) and Slough Town (BGB Southern League Division One South & West).

Two groups are trying to reform the Shaymen, which could result in Halifax being placed in Unibond Division One North next season (increasing that division from 20 to 21 clubs) - in a similar manner to AFC Telford United, who were placed at this level by the FA in 2004 after Telford United's demise.

However, they may still be forced to start at a lower level of the "Pyramid", as Scarborough Athletic did in 2007.

Boston United have said they plan to appeal to the FA after the club was informed by the Football Conference that they are set to be expelled from Blue Square North.

Conference officials claim that Boston breached their rules by still being in administration on the second Saturday in May, having come out on Tuesday, 20 May.

Nuneaton Borough director Ian Neale has warned that his club, who are due to meet with insolvency lawyers, could be relegated from Blue Square North if they go into administration.

However, no decision has yet been made over what effect the relegation of Boston and/or Nuneaton would have on the divisions.

AFC Sudbury are considering an appeal against the decision to move them from Ryman Division One North to BGB Southern League Division One Midlands. The same switch was applied to Arlesey Town and Bury Town.

Rushall Olympic are considering an appeal against the decision to move them from BGB Southern League Division One Midlands to Unibond Division One South. The same switch was applied to Willenhall Town.

THE OTHER MOVES AT STEPS TWO, THREE & FOUR

Droylsden, Farsley Celtic and Stafford Rangers have been placed in Blue Square North following their relegation from the Blue Square Premier, while joining them will be Unibond Premier Division champions Fleetwood Town and play-off winners Gateshead, and BGB Southern Premier Division champions King's Lynn.

As well as Redditch and Worcester's geographical move (see above), Blue Square South newcomers are Ryman Premier Division champions Chelmsford City and play-off winners AFC Wimbledon, and BGB Southern Premier Division play-off winners Team Bath.

Leigh RMI and Vauxhall Motors have been relegated from Blue Square North to the Unibond Premier Division, where they will be joined by promoted sides Bradford Park Avenue, FC United of Manchester, Cammell Laird and Nantwich Town.

Cambridge City (see above) and Dorchester Town have been relegated from Blue Square South to the BGB Southern Premier Division, where they will be joined by promoted clubs Evesham United, Stourbridge, Farnborough and Oxford City.

Sutton United have been relegated from Blue Square South to the Ryman Premier Division, ahere they will be joined by promoted clubs Dartford, Canvey Island, Dover Athletic and Tooting & Mitcham.

Other clubs switched "sideways" at Step Four are Bishop's Cleeve and Cinderford Town (BGB Southern League Division One Midlands to South & West), Chatham Town (Ryman Division One South to North), Colwyn Bay and Warrington Town (Unibond Division One South to North), Fleet Town and Godalming Town (BGB Southern League Division One South & West to Ryman Division One South), Hillingdon Borough (BGB Southern League Division One South & West to Ryman Division One North), and Marlow (BGB Southern League Division One South & West to Midlands).