UCL Next Season

[Formic]

I think the ponit about fans not being bothered what league the team is in might be a bit too all-embracing. Clearly many fans are so committed to the club they will be happy at any level - proved by the fact they are watching AFC Youth at the likes of ON Chenecks ground.

However, there will be people who are a bit more fussy about the standard of football they watch, and the facilities they watch it in. A trip to the likes of Wootton Blue Cross's ground might be enough to make them resolve to wait until the club is at a better level. Those that have been there will know what I mean.

[brads27]

I actually live in Wootton and have played many a game on the pitch there (which isn't in the best condition!), the facilities aren't the best but they have had some work done their recently. The small stand is falling part slowly though! But then again the fish and chip shop outside makes the whole thing a lot better ;)

[Biggles]

We should apply for the highest level possible and basically if the boot was on the other any other team would also apply for the highest level attainable.

In the end it will be the F.A that decides what division we will start in and that may also depend on any restructuring at steps 5 and below.

[Biggles]

The F.A are currently in the process of consultation on the changes to step 5 which if they come into effect will mean only 12 divisions instead of the current 14 from 2013-14 season.

Some of the criteria for staying or being in step 5 will be done by ground grading, past positions and points accrued and secure tenure at a stadium.

Now it is plain to see we would currently struggle to fulfill the future criteria for step 5.

[Formic]

The F.A are currently in the process of consultation on the changes to step 5 which if they come into effect will mean only 12 divisions instead of the current 14 from 2013-14 season.

Some of the criteria for staying or being in step 5 will be done by ground grading, past positions and points accrued and secure tenure at a stadium.

Now it is plain to see we would currently struggle to fulfill the future criteria for step 5.

I think we need to focus on the various precedents that have been set with the likes of Ilkeston. The step 5 leagues are already short of entrants in a few of their divisions, and have teams threatened with demotion where their grounds don't meet the required criteria. In addition there are at least 50 teams who share a ground down to step 6 level.

I can see quite a bit of consolidation between the leagues, such as where Bedfordshire teams play in both the UCL and the Spartan South Midlands Leagues.

[davealbon]

I actually live in Wootton and have played many a game on the pitch there (which isn't in the best condition!), the facilities aren't the best but they have had some work done their recently. The small stand is falling part slowly though! But then again the fish and chip shop outside makes the whole thing a lot better ;)

Surely it's no worse than the Rockinghorse, and we always enjoyed our visits there!

[easystreet]

Personally I think we should stabalise what we have and be in UCL Div 1.

If they put us into Premier Div I think they will have a riot on their hands and they also set the precedent for years to come and we will annoy everyone locally which isnt what we want.

Short steps take big leaps forward at times.

[Bobos]

We should apply for the highest level possible and basically if the boot was on the other any other team would also apply for the highest level attainable.

In the end it will be the F.A that decides what division we will start in and that may also depend on any restructuring at steps 5 and below.

Totally agree..............if other clubs can't raise their game and are happy to stagnate in these divisions, then that is up to them.
What we have achieved in 4 short months, is nothing short of miraculous.

From having no club to support, to raising a Youth team out of nothing and now with the chance to enter the football pyramid at a half decent level, should not be ignored.

People power has done this, and the community spirit has helped us to overcome the demise of our old club. We will be different to other clubs in the league, we know that, and we will have to live with it.
I don't feel sorry for the other clubs, if they had ambition, then they would be playing at a higher level.

[Biggles]

I think that we should not take for granted that we would be placed in step 5 or 6 you only have to look at Chester who had there own stadium, the backing of the local council and a healthy large fan base which with all this the F.A. at first in there wisdom placed them in the Northern Counties League at step 9 or 10, it was only the determination of the people behind the new Chester that took the F.A to appeal and won.

[BartonRaz]

I think that we should not take for granted that we would be placed in step 5 or 6 you only have to look at Chester who had there own stadium, the backing of the local council and a healthy large fan base which with all this the F.A. at first in there wisdom placed them in the Northern Counties League at step 9 or 10, it was only the determination of the people behind the new Chester that took the F.A to appeal and won.

That league is actually Step 5/6 of Non-League though, the same as UCL Premier and Div One. The lowest level we can possibly be accepted at is Step 6 I think, as there is no Step 7 in the UCL.