Joy for eight clubs after league allocation u-turn

By David Richardson

EIGHT clubs have won their appeals against their league allocation for the 2021-22 season following The FA’s restructure of the National League System.

The formation of a new division at Step 4 and two at Step 5, plus a reduction of 20 to 17 divisions at Step 6, saw 107 clubs upwardly moved within the pyramid across those levels.

The objective of the restructure was to positively impact clubs by reducing travel and costs and provide greater opportunities for generating income with more localised fixtures.

Many sides, as a result, were also laterally shifted within Steps such as Blackstones and Bourne Town, but both have successfully appealed against a move to the Eastern Counties League Division One and they will remain in the United Counties League Division One.

Cockfosters will stay in the Essex Senior League after their bid against a lateral change to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier was upheld while Congleton Town will continue in the North West Counties League Premier having been placed in the Midland Football League Premier.

Hinckley AFC have seen their appeal against the decision to leave the club in the Midland Football League Division One upheld and have been transferred to the United Counties League Division One.

The club said: “Our appeal was based on the fact that, when the Step pyramid restructure was announced, a number of teams were moved away from Midland Football League Division One and replaced by teams from the West Midlands (Regional) League. This fundamentally changed the geographical makeup of the division and would have greatly increased time travelling to away matches.”

The appeals of Ardley United and Easington Sports to be laterally moved from the Hellenic League Premier were upheld and they have been switched to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier and the United Counties League Premier respectively.

Wallingford Town, who argued against their allocation in the Hellenic League’s Division One, will compete in the Combined Counties League Division One.

“The management can now begin to prepare for the new season with confidence and comfort and we look forward to visiting and hosting new clubs in the 2021-22 season,” the club said.