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Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of the National League System:-
1. Introduction
The National League System shall comprise a system by which promotion and relegation links shall exist between participating leagues (the “Leagues”) and shall be operated in accordance with these regulations.
The aims and objectives of the National League System are:
(a) To provide clubs with a level of competitive football appropriate to their playing ability, stadium/ground facilities and economic means.
(b) To provide a framework for discussion on matters of policy and common interest to leagues and clubs.
(c) To allow the seasonal movement of clubs.
To be members, all leagues and clubs participating from time to time in such leagues (the “Clubs”), shall be bound by these regulations. All member leagues will be required to sign a copy of these regulations on an annual basis signifying their agreement to be bound by their content.
2. Position of a League in the National League System
2.1 The structure of the National League System is set out below:
Step 1 -
FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Step 2 -
CONFERENCE NORTH; CONFERENCE SOUTH
Step 3 -
NPL PREM DIV; SOUTHERN PREM DIV; ISTHMIAN PREM DIVä
Step 4 -
NPL DIV 1 (N) & (S); SOUTHERN DIV 1(M) SOUTHERN DIV 1(S & W) ISTHMIAN DIV 1(N) & (S)
Steps 5/6 -
VARIOUS LEAGUES (including NCE PREMIER and DIVISION 1)
Step 7 -
VARIOUS LEAGUES (including CENTRAL MIDLANDS LEAGUE Supreme Div)
The leagues currently at Step 5, 6 and 7 are set out in the attachment to these regulations, and a review is underway.
2.2 Any league wishing to become part in the NLS must advise The Football Association in such form and/or providing such information as shall be required by the Leagues Committee (“LC”) from time to time. The decision as to whether or not a league should be admitted to, and if admitted, their position in the National League System shall be made by the LC and shall be final and binding.
2.3 Any league wishing to propose an adjustment to its position within the National League System 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 season commencing in the following calendar year.
3. Rules and Regulations for Promotion and Relegation
3.1 The NLS shall provide for the seasonal promotion and relegation or lateral movement of clubs between Steps within the system. A league that signifies its acceptance to be bound by these regulations must be in a position to promote and relegate clubs at the conclusion of each season.
4. Detailed Promotion and Relegation Issues
4.1 Eligibility criteria shall be agreed between the LC and the various leagues. Details of the requirements at each Step are contained in the National Ground Grading Document as published by The Football Association.
4.2 It may be necessary from time to time to move clubs laterally between leagues at the same Step to accommodate the movement of clubs by normal promotion and relegation. Where this is necessary, no club will be asked to move more than once in every three seasons unless it requests such a move.
4.3 At the conclusion of each season, the following procedures will apply:
Step 1 and Step 2
The clubs finishing in the bottom four places at Step 1 at the end of the playing season will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 2. They will be replaced by the clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 2 together with a further two clubs which win a series of play off matches involving those clubs finishing in a play-off position (normally positions 2 to 5) in each of the divisions at Step 2. In exceptional circumstances where a club in positions 2 to 5 does not meet the criteria to enter the play-offs, they should be replaced by a club finishing in the next eligible position. Clubs finishing below position 7 would not be considered.
Step 2 and Step 3
The clubs in the bottom three places in each of the two divisions at Step 2 at the end of the playing season will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 3. They will be replaced by the clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 3 together with a further three clubs determined by a series of play off matches involving those clubs finishing in a play-off position (normally positions 2 to 5) in each of the divisions at Step 3. In exception circumstances where a club in positions 2 to 5 does not meet the criteria to enter the play-offs, they should be replaced by a club finishing in the next eligible position. Clubs finising below position 7 would not be considered. The promoted clubs will also be placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 2.
Step 3 and Step 4
The clubs in the bottom four places in each of the three divisions at Step 3 at the end of the playing season will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographical appropriate division at Step 4. They will be replaced by the clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 4 together with a further six clubs to be determined by a series of play off matches involving those clubs finishing in a play-off position (normally positions 2 to 5) in each of the divisions at Step 4. In exceptional circumstances where a club in positions 2 to 5 does not meet the criteria to enter the play-offs, they should be replaced by a club finishing in the next eligible position. Clubs finishing below position 7 would not be considered. The promoted clubs will also be placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 3.
Step 4 and Step 5
In normal circumstances, the clubs in the bottom two places in each of the five divisions at Step 4 will be replaced by the twelve most suitable clubs from the leagues at Step 5 as determined by the LC. Each of these leagues will nominate the club finishing in 1st position subject to meeting the entry criteria and wishing to be considered for promotion. In the event of the 1st placed club not being nominated, the club finishing in 2nd position can be nominated subject to the same criteria. Both the clubs relegated from Step 4 and the clubs to be promoted from Step 5 will be placed in a feeder pool and allocated to the most geographically appropriate league.
In the event that there are more clubs qualifying for promotion than spaces available, priority will be given to the Champion clubs in Step 5 leagues. If there remain vacancies, clubs finishing in 2nd place in Step 5 leagues will be ranked according to the average number of points gained per game played.
Clubs seeking promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 must make application in writing to The Football Association, copied to the existing league, by 31st Decemberin the relevant year. The application must be accompanied by the agreed grading fee, as determined by the LC, which is non refundable. The Football Association will arrange for ground grading visits to take place before 31st March in the relevant year. A final list of clubs eligible to be considered for promotion will be published by 15th April. Final promotion will be subject to the criteria outlined in the paragraph above.
Step 5 to Step 6 and Step 6 to Step 7
The movement of clubs between Step 5 and Step 6 will continue as at present.
Clubs seeking promotion from Step 7 to Step 6 must make application in writing to The Football Association, copied to their existing league, by 31st December in the relevant year. A final list of clubs eligible to be considered for promotion will be published by 15 April. Final promotion will be subject to the current agreed criteria which will include a club's final league position and their ability to achieve the required ground grading.
All member leagues shall include in its constitutional rules and regulations provisions for the movement of clubs as detailed above.
5. The Movement of Clubs within the National League System other than by Promotion or Relegation
5.1 Movement of a club from participation in one league to another is not permitted other than by promotion and relegation save with the approval of the LC, such approval being final and binding.
5.2 Any club proposing to move from one league to another must make appropriate applications to resign from and be elected to the relevant leagues in accordance with the rules and regulations of those leagues. Any such notice must in any event, and regardless of any provisions to the contrary in a league’s rules and regulations, be given to both leagues and the LC by 1st April in the relevant year in order to be valid in accordance with para. 5.1.
5.3 If a club (whether a Members’ Club or a Company) is liquidated and then wishes to reform, unless otherwise determined by the LC, it will be allowed to make an application only to join a league/division a minimum of two Steps below the league/division in which it was a member when liquidated.
5.4 If a club (whether a Members' Club or a company) seeks to merge with another club, provisional notification must be received by the LC and the league(s) of which the clubs are members by 31st December in the relevant year. Any proposed merger must be finalised by 31st March in the following year in order for the merged entity to be included in the league structure for the ensuing season.
6. Election of a Club into a League
6.1 In normal circumstances a club can enter the NLS only at Step 7. However, in exceptional circumstances a league may seek approval from the LC to elect a club not currently in membership of a league within the National League System provided that there is: (a) a vacancy within its constitution (b) the club meets the entry criteria and (c) promotion and relegation issues have been satisfied.
6.2 Reserve teams will not be permitted to compete above Step 6 in the NLS. There must be a minimum two Steps between a first and reserve team. This does not apply at Steps 6 and 7. Reserve teams currently at Step 5 can remain unless relegated, once relegated they will not be permitted to be promoted back to Step 5.
7. National League System Working Groups
National and Regional Working Groups will be formed comprising of representatives from leagues within the NLS and the LC to consider matters relevant to the development of the game within the System. A Working Group may refer a matter to the LC for determination.
8. Procedures for the Determination of any Matter, Dispute or Difference by the Leagues Committee
8.1 The LC may adopt such procedures for the determination of any matter, dispute or difference as it considers appropriate and expedient, having regard to the aims and objectives set out at Regulation 1. The LC may require the attendance at a meeting or the written observations of any league or club, as it considers appropriate to assist its determination.
8.2 Any decision of the LC shall be subject to the right of appeal and the decision of an Appeal Board shall be final and binding on all parties.
8.3 The LC may, at its discretion, delegate the resolution of any matter, dispute or difference arising under these Regulations to any body it considers to be appropriate (including a sub-committee or commission which may include members of council not on the LC or a body constituted by a County Football Association).
9. Appeal Procedure
9.1 Any dispute or difference between a league and a club relating to promotion and relegation issues and/or other eligibility criteria should be referred for determination to the LC; such determination shall be final and binding. Any referral must be carried out in accordance with The Football Association’s appeal procedure and be submitted at the offices of The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA within 14 days of the posting of the relevant decision and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee as set out at 9.2.
9.2 The fees shall be as follows: Step 1 clubs £250, Step 2 clubs £200, Step 3 clubs £150, Step 4 clubs £100, Other clubs £50.
10. Arbitration
The fact of participation in the NLS and signifying agreement to be bound by these Regulations shall constitute an agreement between each league and club to refer to Arbitration any challenge in law arising out of, or in relation to, these Regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of The Football Association.
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