"At the beginning of season 2003/04, The FA and the Alliance [representatives of the Ryman, Dr Martens and UniBond leagues] notified clubs at Level 1[the Nationwide Conference] and Level 2 [Ryman, Dr Martens and UniBond leagues] of the current FA National League System, that they had one full season to prepare for restructuring, and were informed of the new criteria, complete with a timetable of key dates.

Level 3 leagues also agreed to support the new structure of the National League System, on the basis that normal promotion and relegation would apply, and in addition, there would be the possibility of elevating a further fifteen clubs from these Level 3 leagues.

Following a series of recent meetings between the Level 3 leagues and the Alliance leagues, it transpired that the views regarding promotion and relegation of clubs from Level 3 differed.

At a meeting of The FA Board on Tuesday 27th April, The FA Board supported the original decision of The FA Council [made on June 21st 2003] that normal promotion and relegation for Level 3 leagues would apply, and that a further 15 clubs would also be considered for the new Step 4 of The FA National League System for season 2004/05.

There will now be a meeting on Sunday 9th May at which clubs at the new Steps 2 to 4 of the FA National League System will be allocated to leagues, for the commencement of season 2004/05.

Such allocation will be subject to ratification by The FA National League System Committee. Representatives will be present from the Alliance leagues, Level 3 leagues and The FA National League System Committee."