Shake-up of lower league pyramid

A MASSIVE reconstruction of non-league football has been proposed which will affect at what level some clubs in the region play their football – with promotions on the cards.

The changes, yet to be ratified by the Football Association, could see Saltash United and Helston Athletic heading up to the Western League from the Peninsula League Premier West division, while, using a point per game from the last two seasons calculation, Millbrook too might be in line for a move up, with Ilfracombe Town also possible promotion candidates.

The Peninsula League responded to the complicated proposals on Monday on social media, saying: ‘Don’t want to put a downer on it, but the FA proposal has to be ratified by the FA Council and then formal allocation of clubs – up, down and sideways etc – will be declared by the FA’.

In a statement, the FA said that following the curtailment of the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3 to 6, the feasibility of undertaking the restructure at Steps 4-6 (which was intended to take effect from this season but has been delayed due to the impact of Covid-19, would be considered.

As a result, it is to be recommended to FA Council that changes to the number of divisions in the NLS be completed in order to address the imbalance that currently exists and achieve the ‘pure pyramid’ at Steps 1-6.

This would see an additional division at Step 4, two additional divisions at Step 5 and a reduction of divisions, from 20 to 17, at Step 6.

As part of the proposals, 110 clubs would be upwardly moved within the pyramid at Steps 4 to 6 in order to facilitate the new divisions, with the restructure set to have a positive impact on a significant number of clubs, supporting them with reduced travel and costs and providing greater opportunities for generating income via localised fixtures.