PROMOTION TO STEP 4 FOR SEASON 2013-14
This information relates to the arrangements for those clubs wishing to be considered for promotion to Step 4 of the National League System for Season 2013-14. We would encourage applications only from those clubs that have serious ambitions to progress and either currently have an E Grade or can realistically achieve this by 31 March 2013.
An application form should be completed thoroughly and returned with the following if you wish to be considered for promotion. The application form and accompanying documentation must be received no later than 30 NOVEMBER 2012:-
• Copy of latest audited or certified annual accounts (these must cover season 2011-12 at least)
• Grading fee cheque for £120 made payable to The Football Association Ltd if a grading visit is required
You will have received under separate cover from your league details of the work being undertaken to review the Security of Tenure arrangements currently in place at clubs at Step 5. Therefore, this Season you will not be required to return copies of tenure documents with your application for promotion as we will receive this with the Security of Tenure Request Form. However, please note that the lease, licence or ground share agreement will be checked thoroughly and if these are not deemed to be appropriate it could result in a club not being eligible for promotion.
Those clubs that do not have a Grade E or above should forward a cheque for £120 (£100 + VAT) made payable to The Football Association Ltd with the application form. This fee will cover one grading visit only; subsequent grading visits will also be charged at £100 + VAT. Those clubs seeking promotion that do not have a Grade E or above will be forwarded a self assessment grading questionnaire following the return of the application form. Please only request a grading visit when you are satisfied that the club has reached the requirements for Grade E. These are grading visits NOT advisory visits. Remember the club will be charged for each visit. The requirements of Grade E can be found by clicking here.
An application form can be downloaded here. The application form and accompanying documentation can be scanned and emailed to Penny.Kift@thefa.com or sent by post to Penny Kift, The FA Group, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ. If sending by post it would be advisable to send the documentation by Recorded or Special Delivery.
With regard to promotion at the end of this season, in order for the Isthmian league Step 4 divisions to increase to 24 clubs each, there will be 14 clubs promoted. The clubs finishing in the top position in their current Step 5 league and be in possession of a Grade E by 31 March 2013 will be eligible for promotion. In the event of the first placed club not being eligible, the clubs finishing in second or third position can be considered subject the clubs being in possession of a Grade E by 31 March 2013 however this cannot be guaranteed.
If vacancies still exist, any additional clubs required will be selected from the following Step 5 leagues based on a points gained per game played basis: Combined Counties League, Eastern Counties League, Essex Senior League, Kent League, Spartan South Midlands League, Sussex County League and Wessex League. No more than two Clubs will be promoted from any one league.
The clubs to be promoted from Step 5 will be placed in a feeder pool and allocated to the most geographically appropriate division.
Any application forms received after 30 November 2012 deadline will NOT be accepted. If you have any queries regarding promotion to Step 4, you should contact either Mike Appleby (Mike.Appleby@thefa.com) or Penny Kift (Penny.Kift@thefa.com).
