NORTHERN STEP 4 BID WAS ‘TOO LATE’ TO BRING IN

THE FOOTBALL Association say the Northern League’s proposal for a new Step 4 division in the north-east was too late in the day to be incorporated in next season’s National League System restructure.

Having had their bid rejected by the FA’s Leagues Committee, their appeal was this week knocked back by an independent appeal board.

The league, who administer a Step 5 and 6 division, wanted to adjust their position in the Pyramid with a Step 4 division to cover the region.

Next season a seventh Step 4 division will be introduced in an attempt to cut down travelling times and the costs associated with it.

The FA say they are keen to work with the Northern League with the hope an eighth division can be created in the future.

An FA statement read: “An appeal by the Northern League against the decision of The FA’s Leagues Committee to refuse a proposal to establish a new League at Step 4 next season was dismissed by an independent Appeal Board at the Football Association this week.

“The proposal by the Northern League to engage with the establishment of a Step 4 Division in the North East was welcomed by the Leagues Committee who felt that the proposal had been received too late to be able to be incorporated into the plans for the pilot scheme which is already in place for Steps 3 and 4 over the next two years.

“In refusing the Northern League’s application the Leagues Committee did offer the Northern League free grading inspections of all their Step 5 members and that offer is still in place.

“After the hearing the representatives of the Leagues Committee and the Northern League had a very harmonious discussion about the future and are looking forward to working together to address the longstanding issues of travelling distance and time for the Clubs in that part of the country.

“It is hoped that this decision represents a bright day for the Northern League and its clubs enabling them to work together with the Association to a positive future.”