The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Can someone explain how Relegation into the UCL from level 8 works? Because looking at the league table the two teams from the Southern League Div 1 that will be relegated are Asheford (Middx) and Chertsey Town, both of which won't fall into the UCL geographical remit. So do we just go down to 18 teams? or does The FA transfer a team or two from neighboring leagues? I know in the past some teams in those neighboring leagues have applied to move over (Eg. Godmanchester).

Of the current SLD1C sides I reckon only 2 could be relegated into the UCL and both K*ttering and Daventry are never going to do that this season. Rugby could perhaps be a 3rd but they're 2nd currently.

You could promote an extra side from below, or reprieve a side perhaps? Don't know for sure. We're never going to intentionally run with 19 sides again next year so I'd expect sides to be moved into the UCL from other Step 5 leagues, and looking at the other Step 5 leagues prime candidates for that would be Ely City, Godmanchester, Kirby Muxloe, Quorn, Loughborough University, Shepshed Dynamo, and perhaps at a real push Biggleswade United or Ardley United.

Last year Godmanchester were forcibly transfered but appealed it and were moved back. There was a lot of talk that Kirby Muxloe would be moved too but it never materialised.

It's decided by committee. They dictate which teams must transfer between leagues if there is an imbalance. The FA website is out of date in this area - http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheF ... ystem.ashx - although this wikipedia page is good - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_League_System

There is a useful FA article that relates to promotion / relegation changes following an aborted restructuring attempt - http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/NewsAndFea ... iew-100512

Note the comment - "In future seasons, to stimulate promotion, consideration would be given to clubs that finish in first, second or third positions in Step 5 competitions provided that they meet the entry criteria for Step 4. There would, however, be only one club promoted from any Step 5 competition in any season. In addition, it was agreed that at the conclusion of Season 2012-13, the clubs finishing in bottom position in each of the Step 4 divisions would be relegated. "

Read more at http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/NewsAndFea ... EV2Dqqw.99

I know that this is very much an 'unofficial' document but I find it interesting particularly in the last 4-6 weeks in the season where an attempt is made to predict who may be promoted/relegated/transferred and into which league.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv? ... li=1&pli=1

Currently predicting relegation for just one, Harborough Town, promotion for two and transfer of Kirby Muxloe making a 20 strong division.

Formic wrote:"In future seasons, to stimulate promotion, consideration would be given to clubs that finish in first, second or third positions in Step 5 competitions provided that they meet the entry criteria for Step 4. There would, however, be only one club promoted from any Step 5 competition in any season. In addition, it was agreed that at the conclusion of Season 2012-13, the clubs finishing in bottom position in each of the Step 4 divisions would be relegated.

Basically saying that there is no chance whatsoever that Rushden would go up with Spalding even if a place in step 4 was going?

Rushdenjim wrote: Basically saying that there is no chance whatsoever that Rushden would go up with Spalding even if a place in step 4 was going?

It will depend if there are any teams who decide not to take promotion or fail the ground grading inspection.
Ground grading approval is a hurdle that Spalding still have to negiotate and I think there is a fair bit they need to do to get the necessary approval by the end of March.

Trek wrote:

Rushdenjim wrote: Basically saying that there is no chance whatsoever that Rushden would go up with Spalding even if a place in step 4 was going?

It will depend if there are any teams who decide not to take promotion or fail the ground grading inspection.
Ground grading approval is a hurdle that Spalding still have to negiotate and I think there is a fair bit they need to do to get the necessary approval by the end of March.

Well they've already played at the level above don't forget, have the ground grading rules changed that much for step 4 since 2011?

Olly wrote:
Well they've already played at the level above don't forget, have the ground grading rules changed that much for step 4 since 2011?

They seemed to have tightened up a lot in the last couple of years. Spalding need segregation of car parking from the ground, pitch side barrier filling in and their stand is very poor with access difficulties that needs rectification and certainly don't currently have the number of seats that we are planning for the Peter Ebdon Stand.
I would be very surprised if their ground grading certification from when they last played at step 4 is still applicable.

http://www.scfl.org.uk/scfl/upload/Grade_E_July12.pdf

I can confirm that Spalding already have the grading for the southern league and hopefully we will be the second club in the UCL Premier to attain it in the next few weeks

Thanks for clarifying that Duke. Just goes to show what a nonsense this ground grading exercise is. That seated stand at Spalding presents serious Health & Safety issues particularly exit and egress in the case of fire with spectators required to climb over the bench seating with no designated walk ways to exit via the stairs.