Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of the National League System
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Regulations for the establishment and operation of the national league system 1. Definitions • “NLS” means the National League System 2. The National League System by which promotion and relegation links (“NLS”) shall be operated in In the interpretation of these Regulations: exist between participating Leagues and accordance with these regulations any words and expressions, unless shall be operated in accordance with (“the Regulations”). otherwise defined herein, shall be words these Regulations. and expressions as defined as follows:- • “Playing Season” means the period The aims and objectives of the NLS are: • “AC” means the Alliance Committee between the date on which the first a. To provide Clubs with a level of competitive appointed by FA Council to deal with League fixture in the League is played football appropriate to their playing ability, matters appertaining to Steps 1 to 4 of each year until the date on which the stadium/ground facilities, economic the National League System. last League fixture in the League is means and geographical location. • “Association” means The Football played. For Clubs participating in play-off b. To provide a framework for discussion on Association. matches this does include the period matters of policy and common interest to • “Club” means a football club in a league in when play-off matches are played. Leagues and Clubs. membership of the NLS. • “Play off Position” means the position of a c. To allow the seasonal movement of Clubs. • “League” means any competition Club in the League table at the end of each To be members, all Leagues, and Clubs sanctioned by the Association and/or an Playing Season which enables a Club to shall be bound by the Regulations. All Affiliated Association. take part in a play off match to qualify for Leagues will be required to sign a certificate • “LC” means the Leagues Committee promotion to the next Step in the National confirming their agreement to the appointed by FA Council to deal with all League System for the next Playing Season. acceptance of the Regulations. matters appertaining to the National • “Regulations” means these regulations. League System. • “Step” means the level at which a Club participates in the National League System. FA Learning - Grassroots Club Administration 3. Position of a League in the National League System 3.1 The current structure of the NLS is set out below: Step 1 Football Conference Step 2 Conference North Conference South Step 3 Northern Premier Southern League Isthmian League League Premier Premier Division Premier Division Division Step 4 Northern Northern Southern League Southern League Isthmian League Isthmian League Premier League Premier League Division One Division One Division One Division One Division One Division One Central South & West North South North South Step 5/6 Step 5/6 Leagues 3.2 Any League wishing to become part of the NLS must advise The Association in such form and/or providing such Step 7 information as shall be required by the LC from time to time. The decision as The Leagues currently at Step 5, 6 and 7 to whether or not a League should be are set out at the end of the Regulations. admitted to the NLS shall be made by the Step 7 Leagues LC which will then decide on the Step at which the League will play. 3.3 Any League wishing to propose an adjustment to its position within the NLS must apply in writing to the LC by 31st December in any year for such proposal to be determined by the LC in order, if approved, to have effect in the following Playing Season. FA Learning - Grassroots Club Administration 4. Rules and Regulations for Step 2 and Step 3 where it will play the winner of the other play Promotion and Relegation The Clubs in the bottom three places in off match and the winner of that Final will be each of the two divisions at Step 2 at the promoted. Clubs finishing below position 7 The LC shall provide for the seasonal end of the Playing Season will be relegated will not be considered for play off matches. promotion, relegation or lateral movement to a feeder pool and placed in the most The promoted Clubs will also be placed of Clubs between Steps within the system. geographically appropriate division at Step 3 in a feeder pool and placed in the most A League that signifies its acceptance to be for the following Playing Season. They will be geographically appropriate division at Step 3. bound by the Regulations must be in replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1st position a position to promote and relegate Clubs at in each of the divisions at Step 3 together Step 4 and Step 5 the conclusion of each Playing Season. with a further three Clubs determined by a The Clubs in the bottom two places in each series of play off matches involving those of the six divisions at Step 4 at the end of the 5. Detailed Promotion and Clubs finishing in a play off position (normally Playing Season will be relegated to a feeder Relegation Issues positions 2 to 5) in each of the divisions at pool and placed in the most geographically 5.1 The criteria for entry to the NLS and the Step 3. Where a Club finishes in a Play Off appropriate League at Step 5. These criteria for ground/stadium facilities Position but does not meet the criteria for Clubs will be replaced by the twelve most and the criteria for participation in play participation in play off matches the Club suitable Clubs from the Leagues at Step off matches shall be determined by the finishing in the next eligible position shall 5 as determined by the LC. Each of these LC. All criteria so determined shall be take part in the play off matches. The play off Leagues will nominate the Club finishing in published by The Association from time matches shall be played so that the highest 1st position subject to meeting the entry to time. placed of the eligible Clubs plays against the criteria and wishing to be considered for 5.2 It may be necessary from time lowest placed and the other two Clubs play promotion. In the event of the 1st placed to time to move Clubs laterally each other. The winners of each match will Club not being nominated, the Club between Leagues at the same Step to play each other and the winner of that match finishing in 2nd position can be nominated accommodate the movement of Clubs will be promoted. If there are only three subject to the same criteria. The Clubs to by normal promotion and relegation. eligible Clubs then the highest placed shall be promoted from Step 5 will be placed in 5.3 At the conclusion of each Playing Season, receive a bye to a second match where it will a feeder pool and allocated to the most the following procedures will apply: play the winner of the other play off match geographically appropriate division. and the winner of that Final will be promoted. Step 1 and Step 2 Clubs finishing below position 7 will not be In the event that there are more Clubs The Clubs finishing in the bottom four considered for play off matches. qualifying for promotion than spaces places at Step 1 at the end of the Playing available, priority will be given to the Season will be relegated to a feeder pool The promoted Clubs will also be placed Champion Clubs in Step 5 Leagues. If and placed in the most geographically in a feeder pool and placed in the most vacancies remain, Clubs finishing in 2nd place appropriate division at Step 2 for the geographically appropriate division at Step 2. in Step 5 Leagues will be ranked for promotion following Playing Season. They will be purposes according to the average number of replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1st Step 3 and Step 4 points gained per games played. position in each of the divisions at Step 2 The Clubs in the bottom four places in each together with a further two Clubs which of the three divisions at Step 3 at the end Any Club seeking promotion from Step win a series of play off matches involving of the playing season will be relegated 5 to Step 4 must achieve an E Grade by those Clubs finishing in a play off position to a feeder pool and placed in the most 31st March in the Playing Season when (normally positions 2 to 5) in each of the geographical appropriate division at Step 4 promotion is sought. Such Grade shall be divisions at Step 2. Where a Club finishes for the following Playing Season. They will be obtained by making application to The in a Play Off Position but does not meet replaced by the Club finishing in 1st position Association accompanied by the relevant the criteria for participation in play-off in each of the divisions at Step 4 together grading fee. The Association will arrange an matches the Club finishing in the next with a further six Clubs to be determined inspection as soon as practical thereafter. eligible position shall take part in the play by a series of play off matches involving off matches. The play off matches shall those Clubs finishing in a play-off position Step 5 to Step 6 and Step 6 to Step 7 be played so that the highest placed of (normally positions 2 to 5) in each of the The promotion and relegation of Clubs the eligible Clubs plays against the lowest divisions at Step 4.