News: National League System changes 2012-13 confirmed

The National League System will have another shake up this summer, affecting the promotion and relegation at Steps 3, 4 and 5. theonionsack spoke to the FA’s Leagues and Clubs Manager Mike Appleby last week to find out exactly what will be happening, how, when and why.

This diagram from the FA’s website shows how the different levels are divided up – there are 14 leagues at Step 5 feeding into the six Step 4 divisions.

What will happen

• All three Step 3 leagues (Northern Premier League Premier, Southern Premier, Isthmian Premier) will increase from 22 to 24 teams.

• The two Isthmian leagues at Step 4 (Division One North, Division One South) will increase from 22 to 24 teams.

• A third relegation place will be created in the Isthmian leagues at Step 4, creating 14 automatic promotion places from Step 5 from 2013-14.

• Teams finishing as low as third at Step 5 may be promoted, as long as they apply for promotion and meet the ground grading criteria. However, only one team from each Step 5 league will be promoted each season, the highest placed eligible club.

How it will affect 2012-13

To add the extra six teams required at Step 3, each league will relegate only two teams instead of the usual four. That means six teams will go down from Step 3 with 12 coming up from Step 4 via the usual method – champions plus play-off winners from each division.

This means Step 4 will need an extra ten teams – six to make up the shortfall from Step 3 and another four to increase the size of the two Isthmian divisions.


Therefore, each Step 4 league will only carry one relegation place this season, instead of the usual two.

The FA have decided to create a 16 up – 6 down system for this season only between Steps 4 and 5, enabling each Step 4 league to relegate its bottom club.

As a one off, the FA will promote a second club from two Step 5 leagues in the Isthmian League catchment area only. This covers five leagues – the Eastern Counties League, the Spartan South Midlands League, the Kent League, the Combined Counties League and the Essex Senior League.

The FA will take no more than two promoted clubs from these divisions and it will be decided on position and points per game basis. The FA will only take one promoted club from the other nine leagues.

The aim is to ensure that all bottom placed clubs at Step 4 are relegated, but if any teams drop out from Steps 1-4, the vacancy created will be filled by relegation reprieves. Extra teams from Step 5 will not be promoted.

How it will affect 2013-14 and beyond

Promotion and relegation will return to normal from 2013-14 other than one change.

As mentioned above, there will be three relegation places in the Isthmian leagues at Step 4, while the other four divisions of 22 teams will continue to relegate two.

This creates a 14 up – 14 down system where every league can promote a team each season – previously there had been only 12 places across the 14 leagues, though this rarely created a problem as clubs from some leagues frequently decline promotion, citing travelling and financial implications.

Any clubs dropping out of the system from Steps 1-4 will continue to be replaced by reprieving relegated clubs on a position and points per game basis.

This means that the first relegation reprieves will be offered to the two clubs finishing third bottom of the Isthmian League First Divisions, irrelevant of points per game achieved by clubs in other leagues.

Reasons, criticism and responses

Mike Appleby, the League and Clubs Manager at the FA told theonionsack that the increase in clubs at Step 3 is to make relegation fairer.

“They had 22 teams and were relegating four each season – no other competition does that, not even the Football League.

“It is a big turnaround of teams, losing six clubs overall from 22 year on year.”

Since the plans have been announced, supporters have voiced concerns over increasing the league schedule by four games at a time when so many teams face fixture backlogs already, but Appleby said that the leagues had been fully consulted throughout.

“Those are valid points and we did look at that, as well as seeking advice from the leagues themselves.

“The clubs were happy to go with it – it wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”

There has also been criticism of the decision to relegate only two teams from Step 3 this season, with people believing that the Step 4 leagues should have been granted an extra promotion place.

Appleby responded: “I think that’s something we need to look at going forward, but it’s in the rules, you reprieve in England. In Scotland, when Rangers went down to Division Three, they promoted Dundee, but we do it differently.

“Two years ago, of the five teams reprieved at Step 4, four got relegated last season – do you not just prolong the agony? You have other clubs who have just spent the whole season buoyant, so why shouldn’t they be given the chance? I can see the benefit of that.

“But the rules always help the teams at a higher level and the leagues were happy to offer it that way. We can’t just amend the rules, the clubs need to come forward.”

The FA hope that by accepting teams finishing as low as third, promotion and natural movement between the leagues will be stimulated.

The plan had initially been to reduce the number of leagues at Step 5 from 14 to 12, resulting in a straight 12 up – 12 down without changing the Step 4 leagues, but the Step 5 leagues couldn’t agree on changes.

“We were asked by the leagues to look at it,” said Appleby “and we had a mandate to do that, but when the leagues saw the actual proposals some were very vociferous.

“It would have been a major upheaval and it was decided it would cause the least disruption to keep 14 leagues at Step 5. Demographics would say with the density of the population in the Isthmian area that the increase [at Step 4] happens there.”

In addition the FA aims to ensure that any club finishing bottom of a Step 4 league is relegated, even in 2012-13 when only the bottom sides go down, but Appleby conceded it wouldn’t be easy to implement.

“We’re planning to try and relegate the bottom teams where possible and going forward we’re talking to the leagues to enforce this regardless of what happens [in terms of drop outs].

“I think this season, though, we would have to reprieve. Step 5 leagues don’t like us taking too many teams in one year. They are very, very reluctant, and I understand their position. It is the leagues, not the clubs, though we have to apply the rules in place as well.”


All information correct at the time of publication, Monday 30th July 2012. 

News: Gardiner happy as Worcester City take shape

HAPPY: Matt Gardiner

WORCESTER’S assistant manager Matt Gardiner hailed the performance of his front men following a 3-1 win at Southern League Bashley with City’s squad beginning to take shape.

Gardiner said that he and manager Carl Heeley are getting closer to their starting XI for the opener at newly promoted Bradford Park Avenue in three weeks time, but insisted there are still places “up for grabs”.

City’s number two said: “I thought it was a really good game, Bashley gave us the workout we were looking for at this stage of pre-season.

“We played the lads for a little bit longer, and the message we try to give them in every game in terms of progression has come through – the way we moved the ball around looked good.”

“We’ve probably got seven or eight in place now, but there are still places up for grabs. The lads have done well but we’ve still got three more friendlies, and to be fair, I couldn’t name the starting XI for Bradford now, so everyone still has an opportunity.”

Danny Glover grabbed a quick-fire double to put the visitors on course for their victory at Bashley Road, and Gardiner was particularly happy with the performance of his strikers.

“We’re really happy with Danny, and our front four really, they all did very well.

“Danny’s partnership with Mike Symons’ looks like it is getting better with every game and that’s what we want at this stage of the season. I’m really pleased for both of them.

“Greg Mills has come back and done really well – he’s made a real impact and he’ll be a good addition if we can get him in.”

The final places in City’s squad seem set to go to current players or trialists though, as Gardiner said he wasn’t looking to add more new faces.

“Not at this stage” he said. “We’re happy with where we are at the moment, but we’ll see how it goes.”

Report: Bashley 1-3 Worcester City - Pre-season friendly

DOUBLE: Danny Glover

WORCESTER CITY came back from behind to win their pre-season friendly at Southern League Bashley with a powerful display despite playing over an hour with an outfield player in goal.

Danny Glover’s brace quickly turned the game around after James Stokoe’s strike before City’s Matt Sargeant was withdrawn with a groin strain and replaced by Rob Elvins between the sticks. Dan Polan made the result safe in the second half.

The lively Glover was in the thick of the action straight away, bursting through and cutting inside to rattle the post after only 17 seconds, and the game started with a high tempo as both teams attacked with purpose.

Charlie Knight impressed for Bash, shooting across goal and setting up Stokoe with his first chance but Sargeant saved well one-on-one.  The opener wasn’t far away though and Knight was involved again, crossing from the left for Stokoe to power a header home on 17 minutes.

The goal sparked City into life though and within four minutes Carl Heeley’s men were ahead.

The first came when Shabir Khan’s throw was laid off by Mike Symons for Glover to blast home from close range.

Two minutes after the leveller, the same players were involved again with Khan’s throw setting Symons away down the left to outmuscle Brad Strickland and cross for Glover to convert at the far post.

Sargeant’s withdrawal came minutes after as City’s young ‘keeper finally succumbed to a groin strain picked up from his first kicked clearance of the game, but Bashley didn’t really test stand-in Elvins other than Carlos Lompato’s header which was cleared off the line by Khan.

Worcester stayed in control as Symons should have done better with a close range header and winger Greg Mills rattled the crossbar on the stroke of half time.

Mills had a seemingly good shout for a penalty waved away shortly after the break as Tom Hill tangled with the former Telford flyer, but the second half saw less action with the introduction of substitutes from both sides.

One of the fresh faces, Dan Polan, scored the goal that settled the game for City seven minutes after his entrance – Polan’s direct run set Symons away to draw a smart low stop from Prodomo, but Polan was on hand to net the rebound.

Bashley’s Knight and City’s Charlie Reece traded chances late on, but the biggest cheer of the afternoon was saved for Worcester’s manager Carl Heeley who made a two minute cameo at the end, coming on for Stuart Whitehead.

TEAM NEWS

BASHLEY: Prodomo, Penny (Gazzard 53), Oliver, Strickland, Middleton, Finlay (Archbold 73), Knight, Hill (Hampton-Brown 65), Stokoe (Ferguson 72), Casey (Brookes 73), Lompato (Speechley-Price 56).

Goal: Stokoe 17.

WORCESTER CITY: Sargeant (Elvins 26), Weir,Khan (Edwards 46), Thorley (Denny 46), Whitehead (Heeley 88), Rowe (Ayres 46), Reece, Breeze, Symons, Glover (Polan 65), Mills.

Goals: Glover 19, 21, Polan 72.

REFEREE: Mr Will Bull (Winchester). 

News: Abdul Osman signs for Crewe Alexandra

CREWE: Osman's new club

ABDUL Osman finally completed his long awaited move to Crewe Alexandra this week after a week of on-off negotiations.


The 25 year-old former Northampton Town midfielder returns from a spell in Greece to sign a two year contract with the League One newcomers.


The full story for The Sentinel, with reaction from both Osman and Crewe boss Steve Davis, as well as details of the Alex's 2-0 win at Southern League club Bashley can be found here.

News: Charlie Knight re-signs for Bashley from Salisbury City

WING WIZARD: Knight returns to Bashley

BASHLEY  have re-signed former winger Charlie Knight from Salisbury City on a one year contract.


The news came as Bash played out a 2-0 defeat at home to full strength League One side Crewe Alexandra.


The full story for the Bournemouth Echo and news on the current trailists at Bashley Road can be found here. 

News: Four new faces, but Poole boss Killick is fuming

FOUR SIGN: But Killick wasn't happy.

Poole Town boss Tom Killick revealed four new signings after his side’s 4-3 friendly win over Christchurch this weekend, but blasted his players for a lack of focus in the game itself.

Diminutive forward Alex Baldacchino joins on dual registration terms, while Luke Burbidge joins from Hamworthy United and 18-year old right back Jordan O’Donnell joins from Salisbury City. The re-signing of Karim Lamalli completes the quartet.

Baldacchino spent the closing months of last season at Tatnam Road after notching 28 league goals in 35 games for Wessex League strugglers New Milton Town while also being signed for Havant and Waterlooville in the Conference South.

Killick said: “Alex joins us on the basis that if Havant & Waterlooville require him, then that’s Conference South football and he would have to give that priority, and I understand that.

BALDACCHINO: Dual registered

“Effectively it will be the same arrangement he had for most of last year with New Milton, but hopefully he will feature regularly for us until such time he is called on by Havant.”

Burbidge signs after a 22 goal Wessex League haul with Hamworthy United last season while O’Donnell has featured for youth teams at Portsmouth and Eastleigh as well as Salisbury.

Other trailists include Lee Chudy – the striker scored twice in the second 45 minutes on Saturday after netting 11 times in 15 leagueappearances for Hamworthy last season. Goalkeeper Michael Weatherall, who comes from the same youth side as O’Donnell, featured, as well as Bournemouth Poppies wing wizard Fawzi Saadi.

Though even after the influx of players, Killick admitted he was still looking to strengthen his frontline before the season starts with Clevedon Town at home on August 18^th.

“We were a little bit low on numbers but we’re gradually building it up – we are still short in a couple of areas but a one or two things might be happening this week.”

“We have got some good options up front. Alex Baldacchino is a very good player, Karim has got huge ability, Lee Chudy has shown up very well – I’ve got to have a word with Lee but I’m hopeful we’ll sort something out.

“We’ve got Luke Burbidge who can play out wide as well, but I probably want to bring someone in who has played at a higher level to give us a real focal point.

“It’s difficult because those types of players are in very short supply, which we’ve already found to our cost over the summer, but we’ll endeavour to bring someone of that calibre in over the next few weeks if we can.”

As for the game, Killick was less than impressed as Graham Kemp’s plucky Christchurch side took the lead three times. Chudy’s brace eventually sealed victory for the hosts, but couldn’t prevent the side receiving a tongue lashing from their boss.

“It was a disappointing day for us, we were awful, it’s the worst we’ve been. We were sloppy, lazy and careless, just a really below par performance – the goals we let in were laughable really.

“Our attitude was all wrong today – we had Yeovil Tuesday, Eastleigh Thursday and then Christchurch, and the players approached it in completely the wrong manner, you could see that in the performance. It was unacceptable.

“The difficulty is I know we’ll be better in our next game against AFC Bournemouth because the players will like playing in that game, but your attitude has to be right week in week out, you can’t just pick and choose and perform in the big games.

“All of them disappointed me, and apart from two or three of the younger lads, none of them came out with any credit.

“It was a disastrous performance from our point of view – with all due respect to Christchurch we should be controlling the game from start to finish and winning it convincingly, so we’re upset about that and I hope the players are upset – we’ve got to knuckle down with our training this week.

“We have Bournemouth and Salisbury next, but for me Parley is our next test because I want to see what our attitude is like in that game.

“Are we just going to turn up and stroll about like we did against Christchurch? We won’t accept that again, so Parley is a game I’m looking forward to see how the players react and see what we’re made of that day. Attitude is the be all and end all and that’s what we’re going to look at.”

News: Kidderminster Harriers boss Burr pleased with start

PLEASED: Harriers boss Steve Burr

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Steve Burr was pleased with his squad’s double workout on Saturday, but remained tight lipped on which trialists have a future at Aggborough.

With much of the first team squad having a run-out at West Bromwich Albion’s training ground on Saturday morning – the Harriers beating the Baggies 3-2 [see below] – a mixed side lost 2-1 at Evostik League club Romulus on the afternoon.

Among the trialists at Coles Lane were former England Schools goalkeeper Ed Baldy and ex-Halesowen Town striker Justin Nisbett, both of whom impressed, while more familiar names on show included midfielders Jack Byrne and Marvin Johnson along with defender Mickey Demetriou.

Burr, who came close to leading Harriers into the play-offs in the last two seasons, admitted he had been impressed by some of the performances, but insisted no decisions would be taken yet as he looks to go one better and gate crash the top five this season.

“It’s difficult to judge because this is the first game we’ve had  – a lot of the lads who have already signed played at West Brom and had a good workout, and there’s one or two played again against Romulus.

“We’ll have another look at one or two trialists, but these are the types of games where we can see if anyone is going to make the step up and give us something better than we’ve already got.

“I thought Justin Nisbett looked quite lively today, but we’ll keep our eye on things, it’s early yet. A lot of the first team squad have got a game on Tuesday night [at AFC Wulfrunians] and we’ve got another game over at Stourport on Thursday where we’ll take another look at some of these lads [trialists].”

On the friendly at Albion, Burr was equally pleased with the run out, especially for returning goalkeeper Danny Lewis.

Lewis will be vying for the ‘Number One’ shirt again this season after an anterior cruciate ligament injury required surgery and kept him on the sidelines for nine months.

Burr added: “The one good thing is there were no injuries and we were very pleased with the game.

“The result is not important but it does give the lads a bit of confidence and I thought some of our play was excellent. It was a great experience for our lads to be playing against Premier League players.

“Danny [Lewis] played the full 90 minutes and that’s his first game back after being injured for a while – he looked very good, as a lot of them did, they’ve come back, look in good shape and look fit.

“It has been a long road for Danny, nobody has worked harder than him to get back on the football pitch and it was nice to see him playing a part again. He played the whole 90 minutes and got through it OK, but I’m sure he’ll be feeling a bit stiff after that!”

News: Hamworthy United boss Simon Browne faces rebuild

HAMMERED: Five players leave United

HAMWORTHY United boss Simon Browne insists the door remains open for players trialling with higher ranked clubs this summer, but the Hammers chief is bracing himself for a rebuilding job at the County Ground.

Defender Greg Horlock and goalscoring midfielder Sam Lanahan will attempt to make a three division jump to Dorchester Town in the Conference South, while last season’s 22 goal top scorer Luke Burbidge trials with Southern League rivals Poole Town and Will Robinson seems set for Wimborne Town.

It leaves Browne with the daunting prospect of reconstructing a side that challenged towards the top end of the Wessex League last season, finishing 7^th despite a run of poor results in the middle of the campaign.

Browne told theonionsack: “There are players who have gone to higher clubs and I always said to the players that I would never have a problem with them going and trying to better themselves.

“What I have said to them all is if things don’t work out where they’re intending to go this season, they can come back and hopefully enjoy their football here again.

“There is an opportunity for some new faces this season though – I’ve been busy on the phone talking to lots of people and if the guys don’t come back or are looking elsewhere then there are some opportunities for people to come and play for Hamworthy.”

The Hammers kicked their pre-season schedule off with a 1-1 draw against a youthful Salisbury City side last week before losing 2-0 to Wimborne Town on Saturday, and Browne said that there were encouraging signs from his new look side.

“There were a couple of good performances there but I don’t want to say too much about players yet – I want to look at them over the next two or three games and from there I’ll start making a list of lads who are capable of playing at our level.

“There were a couple of players that showed up quite well and I’ll keep an eye on the training and hopefully they’ll step up for us.”

Browne confirmed that Steve Whitcher had left the club, joining league rivals New Milton Town, but experienced Hammer Mike White, who will also help Wareham out in the Dorset League, has also re-signed with United. 

News: Artificial pitches allowed in FA Cup qualifying

3G FOR ME: Richard Evans

Football clubs with artificial pitches will be allowed to play home matches in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup after the FA changed their rules in time for the 2012-13 season.


All FA Cup games previously had to be played on grass, with entrants who play on synthetic surfaces such as 3G pitches forced to find alternative provision for home games.


The Football Association wrote to clubs with artificial surfaces today informing them that:

"The Challenge Cup Committee have now decided to allow the use of artificial pitches in the Qualifying Competition but not in the Competition Proper and provided that any artificial pitch is on The FA Register of Artificial Pitches."

Amongst the beneficiaries of the new rules are Maidstone United of the Ryman League, who have just moved into their impressive new Gallagher's Stadium, and Evostik Northern Premier League club Sutton Coldfield Town and their tenants Romulus. 


However, once a club reaches the competition proper, the stage at which League One and Two clubs enter, 3G surfaces will be banned again, with any qualifiers having to find alternative provision. 


Romulus manager Richard Evans told theonionsack this afternoon that he thinks the decision is the first step towards more 3G pitches being rolled out at higher levels.


"We'll be pleased to be able to play at home and I think it's going to end up in the professional game soon.


"3G pitches are as good as grass and they should be allowed at all levels - if they are good enough for Russia to use in World Cup qualifiers then they should be good enough here."


The move brings the Cup in line with the FA Trophy, a knock-out competition for non league clubs at the top four levels of the football pyramid - synthetic surfaces are allowed in the Trophy until the First Round Proper, when Conference National teams enter.


As things stand, the Football Conference do not allow clubs with non grass pitches to be promoted into its league competition, but this could change with the Football League discussing merits of synthetic surfaces last season. Feeder leagues below the Conference allow them subject to the FA being satisfied with their quality. 


Asked if the move would make a difference for sides used to playing on 3G surfaces, Evans added: "No, not at all. It will be the same as playing on grass last season - it will be a bonus for any team who can play good football on a good surface."

News: Poole Town boss Killick disappointed by four game ban

FOUR MATCH BAN: Tom Killick

POOLE Town boss Tom Killick said he was "disappointed" after being handed a four match touchline ban to start the 2012-13 season.


The FA banned Killick at a non-personal hearing last month after he criticised the performance of the referee following the Dolphins' 1-0 win at Tiverton Town in April.


The suspension that will include Poole's trip to Yate Town in the FA Cup Preliminary Round as well as their start to the league campaign.


Killick, who admitted the charge, was found to have breached Rule E3 - insulting words to a Match Official, but insisted that the punishment was over the top.


"I am disappointed because I went to the referee at the end of the game, shook him by the hand and said 'I thought you had a terrible game today'. I was calm and it was not said in an aggressive way. He said 'I'm reporting you for that'.


"I thought that if you were allowed to praise the referee, then you can criticise as long as it is in an appropriate manner, but it would appear that you're not allowed to do that. 


"You learn from it - if I don't think the referee has done well in future I won't be able to say anything at all - it's a bit strange.


"Shouting, swearing and being aggressive is clearly unacceptable, but every week I see other managers do what I did and 99 times out of 100 nothing is done, but some referees must be more sensitive than others."


Killick was also fined £75 on top of the touchline sanction. 

Blog: Non league transfers - the signings who never sign

It would appear that the lower echelons of the beautiful game has finally found its answer to the transfer window - the June free for all. 


Managers up and down the country will start to breath huge sighs of relief into their red-hot mobile phones this week as secretaries confirm that new signings have been registered with the various leagues. The new lad that will make all the difference, but not that much difference that he is worth a contract, can no longer, in theory, get tapped up by rival bosses.


Non-contract players at semi-professional and amateur levels are registered until the end of May with the club, or clubs, they finish the season with. A player's new or existing club then has to register them with their league, but can only do so from July 1st. The rules can be found here.


So why, in the only month out of 12 where players cannot be registered, do we hear of clubs 'signing' players? To appease supporters? To stay in the media spotlight? Managers may like to get their business done early, but letting people know merely highlights a player's availability.


If the idea is to let people know the player is off the market, this season more than any other rubbishes that theory.


Niall Cooper, the goalkeeper who swept the board at Sutton Coldfield Town's awards ceremony in May, made it clear he wanted to leave Coles Lane to play at a higher level and find a club closer to home.

DOUBLE U-TURN: Niall Cooper 

Two weeks later, at the end of May, Sutton announced the player's 'u-turn', confirming that he would be staying with Chris Keogh's men.


However, by 13th June Cooper had signed for Redditch United, one division higher, closer to his Northamptonshire home, in a league where most of the opponents were also closer to his doorstep.


Sutton's assistant manager Neil Tooth issued a critical, yet defiant statement, accusing unnamed managers of trawling the internet for players - ironically through the club's website. 


Cooper had expressed his desire to move all along, but then had committed to Sutton verbally. Is Cooper disloyal, or should Sutton have kept it quiet? Should they have contracted the talented shot stopper? 


Glenn Howes of Poole Town was announced as Gosport Borough's new signing in early June, only for Howes to change his mind, deciding to stay with the Dolphins just four days later.


The whole episode adds spice to the rivalry between the two clubs after Borough beat Poole 3-1 after extra-time in the Southern South & West play-off final at the end of last season, with Town boss Tom Killick accusing opposite number Alex Pike of making 'cheap' remarks after the game.


Transfer dealings have also caused bad blood between two Oxfordshire rivals in the South & West Division too, with Didcot Town going a step further and announcing the arrival of four players from North Leigh on May 24th.


North Leigh argued that the players were still registered to them until 31st May and called for action from the FA - Didcot chairman John Bailey told the Oxford Mail that the players approached the club and they had done nothing wrong.

 “We never approached the players, they approached us.
“They are not contracted players, if they were, then we would have to have made seven-day approaches for them – and would have done."

Bailey misses the point that the seven day rule is for non-contract players - irrelevant of who approached who, those players were still registered to North Leigh.


As yet, nothing more has been said publicly and no FA charges have been published on their website.


In the same news release, North Leigh announced that one of the players, Kieran Sanders, had signed a new contract. Didcot have since registered the other three players, Elliott Osborne-Ricketts, Morgan Williams, Brian Bowles, but not Sanders.


More often than not, a player sticks to his word, but things change at this level of football, as they do throughout the season - sometimes a change of heart is not always about self-indulgence or greed.


However, in all three of these cases, if the club had kept quiet, you can't help thinking they would have retained/signed the players in question.


In an age where transfers aren't just restricted to the back page of the local paper and player power is king, Tooth's rant holds an element of truth.


Clubs used to hold the trump card, but like all levels of the game, that is no longer the case, and non-league clubs need to be more savvy about their transfer business, especially during the summer.