On the 13th March, a major breakthrough was achieved when all four competitions - Nationwide Football Conference, Ryman Isthmian League, Dr Martens Southern League and UniBond Northern Premier League - agreed to the formation of a new Football Alliance that will operate as an extension of the Nationwide Football Conference.

The new Alliance will be formed by each of the four competitions taking a 25% stakeholder position in decision making, with two members of each competition forming a new eight-man board.

During recent meetings, there has been a significant acknowledgement by both Football Conference and Feeder League clubs to extend the Football Conference by creating two feeder leagues into the Football Conference.

The FA's proposal for restructuring has always maintained that a 2 Feeder plus 4 Feeder system was the best structure for the future (known as proposal C).

The FA National Leagues System Committee today reviewed the Football Conference's request to extend its competition and supported the creation of a structure that is in line with The FA's original proposal.

As a result, the creation of a new Conference North and Conference South Division, feeding into The Football Conference will commence from the beginning of season 2004/05, subject to ratification by FA Council in May 2003.

 

FA National Game Director Steve Parkin said:

"During the past 2 ½ years, one of The FA's key objectives has been to make the National Leagues System more competitive, exciting and consistent.

"This agreement has been achieved through teamwork between The FA and all Leagues down to Level 4; they should be commended for their positive cooperation in helping to shape the future of football at this level.

"The FA will now work with the Football Conference, Isthmian League, Southern League, Northern Premier League and Level 3 and Level 4 clubs to finalise all details and establish selection criteria for entry into the two Feeder Leagues, ensuring that all clubs have this information before the start of season 2003/04."

In addition, The Football Conference today invoked an existing Football Conference regulation, requesting permission from The FA to increase its membership for season 2003/04 from 22 clubs to 24 clubs.

This proposal has today been sent to the 3 Feeder Leagues for their consideration and consultation, prior to a FA National Leagues Sanctions Committee meeting before the end of the current season.