ALL ABOARD A UPS, DOWNS,

IT SEEMS like the bubbly has hardly had time to go flat and we’re already looking forward to next season!

And the reality of the 2023-24 campaign became that little bit stronger when the FA released the National League System club allocations for Steps 1-6, subject to FA Council ratification and appeals, on Monday.

At Step 1, it’s a welcome to Hartlepool United and Rochdale following relegation from the Football League, while AFC Fylde, Kidderminster Harriers, Ebbsfleet United and Oxford City move up to NonLeague’s top flight.

At Step 2, Scunthorpe United are the sole team to drop into National League North. They are joined by promoted sides South Shields, Warrington Town, Tamworth, Rushall Olympic and Bishop’s Stortford. The latter, Isthmian Premier champions, were somewhat stunned to have been selected for the northern section.

National League South will have some extra clout as relegated sides Torquay United, Yeovil Town and Maidstone United all climb aboard. They have been joined by promoted trio Weston-super-Mare, Truro City and Aveley.

At Step 3, one of the major talking points was Harrow Borough’s unexpected reprieve from relegation from Southern Premier South. This came on the back of Met Police seeking voluntary relegation – they have been placed in Isthmian South Central.

Hungerford Town drop into Southern Premier South, but AFC Totton, Sholing, Didcot Town, Basingstoke Town and Walton & Hersham arrive from the other direction.

Three relegated sides – AFC Telford United, Kettering Town and Leamington – switch to Southern Premier Central, alongside five promoted outfits – AFC Sudbury, Berkhamsted, Halesowen Town, Long Eaton United and Stamford.

Movement

There are six new sides in the NPL Premier. Bradford Park Avenue are the only relegated side in the division, while Worksop Town, Macclesfield and Workington move up. There have been sideways switches for Basford United and Ilkeston Town, who both move across from Southern Premier Central.

The Isthmian Premier welcomes Cheshunt, Concord Rangers and Dulwich Hamlet from National League South, while also opening its doors to promoted trio Chatham Town, Whitehawk and Hashtag United.

At Step 4, there are some interesting additions to Isthmian South Central alongside Met Police. Corinthian-Casuals and Hartley Wintney have dropped a rung, while FA Vase fi