All aboard the rollercoaster of ups, downs, thrills and spills

By John Lyons

IT SEEMS like the bubbly has hardly had time to go flat and we’re already looking forward to next season!

And the reality of the 2023-24 campaign became that little bit stronger when the FA released the National League System club allocations for Steps 1-6, subject to FA Council ratification and appeals, on Monday.

At Step 1, it’s a welcome to Hartlepool United and Rochdale following relegation from the Football League, while AFC Fylde, Kidderminster Harriers, Ebbsfleet United and Oxford City move up to Non-League’s top flight.

At Step 2, Scunthorpe United are the sole team to drop into National League North. They are joined by promoted sides South Shields, Warrington Town, Tamworth, Rushall Olympic and Bishop’s Stortford. The latter, Isthmian Premier champions, were somewhat stunned to have been selected for the northern section.

National League South will have some extra clout as relegated sides Torquay United, Yeovil Town and Maidstone United all climb aboard. They have been joined by promoted trio Weston-super-Mare, Truro City and Aveley.

At Step 3, one of the major talking points was Harrow Borough’s unexpected reprieve from relegation from Southern Premier South. This came on the back of Met Police seeking voluntary relegation – they have been placed in Isthmian South Central.

Hungerford Town drop into Southern Premier South, but AFC Totton, Sholing, Didcot Town, Basingstoke Town and Walton & Hersham arrive from the other direction.

Three relegated sides – AFC Telford United, Kettering Town and Leamington – switch to Southern Premier Central, alongside five promoted outfits – AFC Sudbury, Berkhamsted, Halesowen Town, Long Eaton United and Stamford.

Movement

There are six new sides in the NPL Premier. Bradford Park Avenue are the only relegated side in the division, while Worksop Town, Macclesfield and Workington move up. There have been sideways switches for Basford United and Ilkeston Town, who both move across from Southern Premier Central.

The Isthmian Premier welcomes Cheshunt, Concord Rangers and Dulwich Hamlet from National League South, while also opening its doors to promoted trio Chatham Town, Whitehawk and Hashtag United.

At Step 4, there are some interesting additions to Isthmian South Central alongside Met Police. Corinthian-Casuals and Hartley Wintney have dropped a rung, while FA Vase finalists Ascot United, Combined Counties Premier Division South champions Raynes Park Vale and Badshot Lea move up.

In Isthmian North, relegated duo Bowers & Pitsea and Brightlingsea Regent are joined by Enfield, Ipswich Wanderers and Redbridge, while Walthamstow make a lateral movement from Southern Division One Central.

Isthmian South East opens to one relegated side, Herne Bay, while four promoted sides get the keys – Broadbridge Heath, Erith & Belvedere, Horndean and Phoenix Sports.

In NPL East, Northern League duo Newton Aycliffe and Ashington are joined by Northern Counties East League sides North Ferriby and Winterton Rangers. Belper Town and Liversedge are also on board following relegation.

NPL West sees the arrival of Hednesford Town, Nantwich Town and Stalybridge Celtic from higher levels. They will be joined by promoted sides Vauxhall Motors and Avro from the North West Counties Premier, while Chasetown move across from the NPL Midlands.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds are the sole relegated side to join the NPL Midlands, while half a dozen promoted sides will be keen to prove their worth – Anstey Nomads, Coventry Sphinx, Lye Town, Quorn, Rugby Town and Walsall Wood.

Southern Division One Central has drawn in relegated trio Bedford Town, Kings Langley and North Leigh. Moving up into it are Leighton Town and Stotfold, while Marlow have been switched sideways from the Isthmian South Central.

Yate Town have fallen into Southern Division One South. Four promoted sides join them – Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Cribbs, Malvern Town and Wester Premier champions Mousehole.

At Steps 5-6, reinstated Harlow Town have been handed a slot in Eastern Counties Division One South, while Droylsden make a welcome return in North West Counties Division One North after a three-year absence.

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALLOCATIONS

THE National League top table will cater for two new diners this season with relegated Rochdale and promoted Oxford City preparing for their first taste of the fifth tier.

Dale’s demise at League Two ends their 102-year stay in the Football League and resumes their infamous 409 Derby with big rivals Oldham Athletic (more on that in next week’s NLP).

The introduction of Torquay United, Yeovil Town, Weston-Super-Mare and Truro City brings a very western look to National Leaue South, so much so that Bishop’s Stortford have been shunted into the North. Allocations will be confirmed upon Stortford’s imminent appeal (see page 6).