NLS Regulations

Regulations for the establishment and operation of the National League System

1. Introduction

The National League System shall comprise a system by which promotion and relegation links shall exist between participating leagues (the “Leagues”) and shall be operated in accordance with these regulations.

The aims and objectives of the National League System are:

(a) To provide clubs with a level of competitive football appropriate to their playing ability, stadium/ground facilities and economic means.

(b) To provide a framework for discussion on matters of policy and common interest to leagues and clubs.

(c) To allow the seasonal movement of clubs. To be members, all leagues, and clubs participating from time to time in such leagues (the “Clubs”), shall be bound by these regulations. All member leagues will be required to sign a copy of these regulations on an annual basis signifying their agreement to be bound by their content.

2. Position of a League in the National League System

2.1 The current structure of the National League System is set out below: 

Step 1 -  Football Conference

Step 2 - Conference North Conference South 

Step 3 - Northern Premier League Premier Division Southern League Premier Division Isthmian League Premier Division 

Step 4 - Northern Premier League Division One Southern League Division One Midlands Southern League Division One South & West Isthmian League Division One North Isthmian League Division One South 

Step 5/6 - Step 5/6 Leagues

Step 7 - Step 7 Leagues  

The leagues currently at Step 5, 6 and 7 are set out in the attachment to these regulations, and a review is underway.

2.2 Any league wishing to become part of the National League System must advise The Football Association in such form and/or providing such information as shall be required by the Leagues Committee (“LC”) from time to time. The decision as to whether or not a league should be admitted to, and if admitted, their position in the National League System shall be made by the LC and shall be final and binding.

2.3 Any league wishing to propose an adjustment to its position within the National League System must apply in writing to the LC by 31st December in any year for such proposal to be determined by the LC in order, if approved, to have effect in the season commencing in the following calendar year.

3. Rules and Regulations for Promotion and Relegation

3.1 The National League System shall provide for the seasonal promotion, relegation or lateral movement of clubs between Steps within the system. A league that signifies its acceptance to be bound by these regulations must be in a position to promote and relegate clubs at the conclusion of each season.

3.2 All clubs, wishing to be considered for promotion to the next higher Step must make application to the LC using the prescribed form, and to the league of which it is currently a member, by 31st December in any year. This does not apply for promotion between Step 2 and Step 1.

4. Detailed Promotion and Relegation Issues

4.1 Eligibility criteria shall be agreed between the LC and the various leagues. Details of the ground grading requirements at each Step are contained in the National Ground Grading Document as published by The Football Association.

4.2 It may be necessary from time to time to move clubs laterally between leagues at the same Step to accommodate the movement of clubs by normal promotion and relegation. Where this is necessary, no club will be asked to move more than once in every three seasons.

4.3 At the conclusion of each season, the following procedures will apply:

Step 1 and Step 2

The clubs finishing in the bottom four places at Step 1 at the end of the playing season will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 2. They will be replaced by the clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 2 together with a further two clubs which win a series of play off matches involving those clubs finishing in positions 2 to 5 in each of the divisions at Step 2.

Step 2 and Step 3

The clubs in the bottom three places in each of the two divisions at Step 2 at the end of the playing season will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 3.

They will be replaced by the clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 3 together with a further three clubs determined by a series of play off matches involving those clubs finishing in positions 2 to 5 in each of the divisions at Step 3. The promoted clubs will also be placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 2.

Step 3 and Step 4

The clubs in the bottom three places in each of the three divisions at Step 3 at the end of the Season 2006/2007 will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographical appropriate division at Step 4. These nine clubs will be joined by an additional club, this being the club finishing fourth from bottom in the three divisions at Step 3 with the lowest points gained per game played.

This club will also be allocated to a feeder pool. They will be replaced by the club finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 4 together with a further five clubs to be determined by a series of play off matches involving those clubs finishing in positions 2 to 5 in each of the divisions at Step 4. The promoted clubs will also be placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 3.

Step 4 and Step 5

The clubs in the bottom two places in each of the five divisions at Step 4 will be replaced by the ten most suitable clubs from the leagues at Step 5 as determined by the LC. Each of these leagues will nominate the club finishing in 1st position subject to meeting the entry criteria and wishing to be considered for promotion.

In the event of the 1st placed club not being nominated, the club finishing in 2nd position can be nominated subject to the same criteria. Both the clubs relegated from Step 4 and the clubs to be promoted from Step 5 will be placed in a feeder pool and allocated to the most geographically appropriate league.

In the event of there being in excess of ten eligible clubs seeking promotion from Step 5 it may be necessary to arrange a series of play-off matches, the procedures of which will be determined by the LC.

Clubs seeking promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 must make application in writing to The Football Association, copied to their existing league, by 30th November in the relevant year. The application must be accompanied by the agreed grading fee, as determined by the LC, which is non refundable. The Football Association will arrange for ground grading visits to take place before 31st March in the relevant year. A final list of clubs eligible to be considered for promotion will be published by 15th April. Final promotion will be subject to the criteria outlined in the paragraph above.

Step 5 to Step 6 and Step 6 to Step 7

The movement of clubs between Step 5 and Step 6 and between Step 6 and Step 7 will continue as at present.

All member leagues shall include in their constitutional rules and regulations provisions for the movement of clubs as detailed above.

5. The Movement of Clubs within the National League System other than by Promotion or Relegation

5.1 Movement of a club from participation in one league to another is not permitted other than by promotion and relegation save with the approval of the LC, such approval being final and binding.

5.2 Any club proposing to move from one league to another must make appropriate applications to resign from and be elected to the relevant leagues in accordance with the rules and regulations of those leagues. Any such notice must in any event, and regardless of any provisions to the contrary in a league’s rules and regulations, be given to both leagues and the LC by 1st April in the relevant year in order to be valid in accordance with paragraph 5.1.

5.3 If a club (whether a Members’ Club or a Company) is liquidated and then wishes to reform, unless otherwise determined by the LC, it will be allowed to make an application only to join a league/division a minimum of two Steps below the league/division in which it was a member when liquidated.

6. Election of a Club into a League

In normal circumstances a club can enter the National League System only at Step 7. However, in exceptional circumstances a league may seek approval from the LC to elect a club not currently in membership of a league within the National League System provided that there is: (a) a vacancy within its constitution (b) the club meets the entry criteria and (c) promotion and relegation issues have been satisfied.

The determination by the LC shall be final and binding

7. National League System Working Groups

National and Regional Working Groups will be formed comprising of representatives from leagues within the National League System and the LC to consider matters relevant to the development of the game within the System.

A Working Group may refer a matter to the LC for determination and the decision of the LC shall be final and binding

8. Procedures for the Determination of any Matter, Dispute or Difference by the Leagues Committee

8.1 The LC may adopt such procedures for the determination of any matter, dispute or difference as it considers appropriate and expedient, having regard to the aims and objectives set out at Regulation 1. The LC may require the attendance at a meeting or the written observations of any league or club, as it considers appropriate to assist its determination.

8.2 The LC may, at its discretion, delegate the resolution of any matter, dispute or difference arising under these Regulations to any body it considers to be appropriate (including a sub-committee or commission which may include members of council not on the LC or a body constituted by a County Football Association).

9. Appeal Procedure

Any dispute or difference between a league and a club relating to promotion and relegation issues and/or other eligibility criteria should be referred for determination to the LC; such determination shall be final and binding. Any referral must be carried out in accordance with The Football Association’s appeal procedure and be submitted at the offices of The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA within 14 days of the posting of the relevant decision and must be accompanied by a fee of £100.

10. Arbitration

The fact of participation in the National League System and signifying agreement to be bound by these Regulations shall constitute an agreement between each league and club to refer to Arbitration any challenge in law arising out of, or in relation to, these Regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of The Football Association.

Leagues/Divisions At Steps 5, 6 & 7 Of The National League System

(As From Season 2006/2007)