Only two clubs apply to be considered for Promotion

[Formic]

It's now confirmed in the UCL Newsletter that only the Diamonds and Holbeach have applied to be considered for promotion.

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/ucl-newsletters-2014-15

I believe there are now various dates for inspections regarding ground grading before the season ends - http://www.thefa.com/my-football/club-l ... nd-grading (we'll need to get to Grade E) - and then finish ahead of Holbeach and in the top 3.

[Sid]

Doesn't the grading certificate last for 3 years?

[Formic]

Doesn't the grading certificate last for 3 years?

That's the case for continuing compliance with the grade appropriate to a level a club is already at - but its not too clear if that also applies to prospective promotions.

[TimbersDiamond]

Does it matter if we don't finish first as long as we finish in the top 3 and above Holbeach?

If we pass the ground grade and complete the other two, is promotion "automatic"?

[fentiger79]

I'm sorry but if we are not good enough to win the league then we are not worthy of promotion. I want to get out of this league more than anything but as a second or third place would be wrong. What if we we second by quite a few points how could we celebrate going up. For me it has to be as champions, nothing else. Slated teams before for getting promoted by ground rulings and also cant forget Rushden town getting relegated due to Hayden road.

[sussexdiamond]

Does it matter if we don't finish first as long as we finish in the top 3 and above Holbeach?

If we pass the ground grade and complete the other two, is promotion "automatic"?

I think you may be right. Ralph did try to explain a very complicated procedure at the recent forum and my understanding is just what you say..

[Formic]

http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thef ... 14-15.ashx

Step 4 and Step 5
At the end of the Playing Season the Clubs in the bottom two places in each of the four divisions at Step 4 administered by the Northern Premier and Southern Leagues, together with the Clubs in the bottom three places in each of the two divisions administered by the Isthmian League will be relegated and placed in the most geographically appropriate League at Step 5. Irrespective of any provision contained within the Rules the Clubs finishing in bottom position in each of the six Step 4 divisions will be relegated and will not be reprieved. These Clubs will be replaced by the fourteen most suitable Clubs from the Leagues at Step 5 as determined by the LC. The suitability shall be determined as the Club finishing in 1st position in each Step 5 League which meets the entry criteria and wishes to be considered for promotion. In the event of the 1st placed Club not being eligible, the Clubs finishing in 2nd or 3rd position shall be subject to the same criteria. In usual circumstances, no more than one Club will be promoted from any one League. The Clubs to be promoted from Step 5 will be allocated to the most geographically appropriate division at Step 4.

If vacancies remain, consideration will be given to reprieving those Clubs other than bottom placed clubs relegated from Step 4 who will be ranked according to the average number of points gained per games played and the Club with the highest average shall be reprieved first. In the event of Clubs having an identical record the Club to be reprieved shall be determined by the LC.

Any Club seeking promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 must make application to the Association on the prescribed form, copied to their existing League, by 30th November in the relevant year. The application must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee, as determined by the LC, which is non-refundable. Applicant Clubs must achieve a minimum E Grade by 31st March in the Playing Season when promotion is sought.

[Formic]

I'm sorry but if we are not good enough to win the league then we are not worthy of promotion. I want to get out of this league more than anything but as a second or third place would be wrong. What if we we second by quite a few points how could we celebrate going up. For me it has to be as champions, nothing else. Slated teams before for getting promoted by ground rulings and also cant forget Rushden town getting relegated due to Hayden road.

There is a very complicated debate to be had about that philosophy. Would you have denied Kings Lynn promotion from the UCL as they finished second behind Long Buckby - who were a team that only spent money on their side and not on their ground, despite knowing the requirements for promotion clearly necessitated that? Did the fact that Kings Lynn then got promotion from Step 4 to Step 3 not indicate they were worthy of promotion?

[paulg]

I can understand the perceived unfairness of promotions/relegations that are decided by ground regulations (the Hayden Road verdict in the early 90s still annoys me) but the general concept of runners-up getting promoted has been commonplace from our second division/Championship downwards for decades. If we end up with +100 points I think we'll deserve to go up, if we finish 1st or second. If we end up runners-up to Holbeach so be it, we'll have another go next year, but if we end up runners-up to Yaxley with a massive total I'll regard it as a deserved promotion for us.

[sussexdiamond]

I too would prefer us to be promoted as champions, but would be happy to be promoted whatever way, if it is according to the rules. On the field we have shown over the past two seasons that we can match Step 4 teams.

Just to show what a hypocrite I can be. I am totally against clubs finishing 2nd-4th in the Premiership being allowed into the Champions League. In that instance Champions should mean Champions!!!