Suggested Format for 2015/16 for Current Non-League Steps Two
to Six       -       Richard Lambert 21/02/14

Based on League Tables up to and inc Monday 10th February -
Sorted by Points per Game, NOT points overall as we are mid-season - Not considering ground gradings at all at this stage.

The main intention of this suggested format is to prove that
broadening the non-league pyramid is the best way forward for its clubs.

To create this new format, in place of the old Steps Two to
Six I have created Conferences, Regions and Sections and allocated clubs
accordingly.

The allocation is just a guideline to illustrate this format
is a better "fit" and would reduce travelling across the country,
substantially in the case of the East and North East.

The pros and cons of this are listed below and I believe that
only "pros" would remain an issue after a season or two:

Pros:

1

Less travel for almost all clubs across the
country. Even Truro (based on this example) only have to travel as far as
Chippenham and Merthyr, which is a vast improvement on their current
position.

2

This also means more local derbies would occur
with a likely increase in crowds and revenue as a result.

3

The model for promotion /  relegation ensures more meaningful matches
at the lower end of the table when many would otherwise be "dead"
matches.

4

However, The Conference National and the
Conferences would only have three guaranteed relegations instead of the
current four at National level.

5

Two levels removed from the Pyramid places
everyone from the current Step Three downwards at least a level higher and
hundreds will be two levels higher.

6

Section level clubs would have playoffs
introduced for the first time and two going up instead of just the one
position available.

7

Sections of 18 are more manageable at this
level, with the level of postponements increasing and with the playoff system
requiring an extra week at the end of the season to play out.

8

Any end
of season club transfers between Sections or Regions as a result of pooling
have less of a detrimental effect as the travel distances are lower than they
were in whichever division the club is placed.

9

Increased pooling and the changes as a result of
increased promotion and relegation will stop divisions becoming
"stale".

Cons:

1

There could potentially be six clubs relegated
from any or all of the Conferences.

2

The Region and Section League tables may be a
little stretched in terms of standard for a season or two while the newer
clubs adapt.

3

Ground gradings may have to be relaxed at
Section level for a season or two to allow the current Step Six clubs that
move up a little time to  comply.

Old Step

Divisions

Number of Clubs

Total (865)

New Name

New Step

Divisions

Number of Clubs

Total (756)

Step 2

2

22

44

Conference

Step 2

3

24

72

Step 3

3

23/24

71

Region

Step 3

9

22

198

Step 4

6

22/24

136

Section

Step 4

27

18

486

Step 5

14

17-23

293

Step 6

17

14-23

321

Notes:

To get the 756 clubs required I reprieved all
"relegated" clubs at Step Three and Step Two but moved nine down at
the old Step Four and promoted two in each of the old Step Five divisions to
relieve the bottleneck that has been in existence.

Approximately
the top two thirds of each Step Six division
(excluding Reserve teams) were moved up to the new Sections, leaving
109 old Step Six sides to be placed into County Leagues (old Step Seven).

However, 10 of
those are Reserve sides and some of the remaining 99 would have the
opportunity to move up at the expense of others, as many of the sides I have
provisionally moved up will not pass ground gradings.

I have tried to
base these allocations on postcodes and main roads, especially in the north
and west where I am not quite so familiar with the clubs locations and have
to rely on a postcode.

The number of 18
in each new "Section" may appear small but these clubs suffer more
postponements and need to finish earlier to accommodate a playoff week.

Administration: There is one
final issue, which is how the administration of the Leagues would be
split.

I presume that the Conference would inherit the third
regional "Conference", while the three main Leagues (Isthmian,
Southern, Northern Premier) would be responsible for administering the three
Regions in their areas as they do presently.

For the Sections
it would make sense for the F.A. to ask many established Step Five Leagues in
certain areas to administer a Section or Sections that were in their
geographical areas in the first place.

Obviously it
would help if they threw a little bit of money at this, so to encourage those
that are mostly volunteers to "stick with it" during the
transition; a sort of loyalty bonus, you might say.

The F.A. will
also need to create an administrative team to facilitate this whole
procedure, possibly on a permanent basis.

Obviously, if
Mike Appleby already has a team that does similar to this now, they would be
ideally placed to take that on, which might also enable a central player
registration system to be created.

Going Further: I would remove all Conference National Clubs from the F.A.
Trophy and place them in the League Cup. To accommodate, I'd remove Premier
League clubs from the League Cup to either ease congestion or to create a
winter break.

Many Conference
National clubs would prefer this switch as many devalue the Trophy these days
with weakened teams, unless they reach its later stages as is often also the
case with Premier League clubs in the League Cup.

The new
Conferences and Regions (12 divisions in all - 288 clubs) would be placed in
the F.A. Trophy bracket, while the F.A. Vase would be for all Sections only
(27 sections - 486 clubs).

The Promotion and Relegation Structure

There are three promotion / relegation steps within the
proposed structure.

1. Conference National to Conference (Regional)

2. Conference (Regional) to Region

3. Region to Section

All three steps have some guaranteed movement.

Relegation (Definite): The
bottom three teams in the Conference National, the Conferences and the
Regions will be relegated.

Promotion (Definite): Each
Champion club in each Section, Region or Conference are promoted.

There are two different playoff structures which are explained
below:

Play offs:
Between Conference National --> Regional Conferences AND Conferences -->
Regions

The next three lowest teams above those three that are
already relegated will take place in a relegation play off with the second to
fourth placed teams from the level below. They would be the top seeded clubs
and receive home advantage throughout.

Each of those are allocated to a playoff "group"
by means of points per game ratio. The three potential promoted teams
combined PPG is rated against the others in that area and the weakest would
receive the highest rated of the teams from the

level above to
make up the four team playoff group regardless of
geography. If clubs want promotion, they will
be travelling those distances anyway.

Example:

18

Red

Safe

Higher Level
lowest seven clubs in order)

19

Blue

20

Green

Relegation playoffs

21

Yellow

22

Purple

23

Orange

Relegated

24

Gold

Lower Level x 3

Points per Game ratio

Points per Game ratio

Points per Game ratio

1

Grey

2.15

Indigo

2.40

Pink

1.97

Promoted as Champions

2

Violet

2.01

Rose

2.35

Scarlet

1.96

Promotion Play offs

3

Silver

1.97

Mauve

2.20

Black

1.94

Promotion Play offs

4

Tan

1.87

White

2.00

Cyan

1.90

Promotion Play offs

5

Brown

1.83

Lime

1.65

Magenta

1.88

No change

Combined PPG of Playoff
clubs

=    (2.01 +1.97 +
1.87)/3

1.95

=    (2.35 +2.20 +
2.00)/3

2.18

=    (1.96 + 1.94 +
1.90)/3

1.93

Ranking

2

1

3

Team they would
attract in playoff

Green

Yellow

Blue

Playoffs would be:

Green v Tan

Yellow v White

Blue v Cyan

Violet v Silver

Rose v Mauve

Scarlet v Black

Highest League
position of the two finalists would play at home in the three Playoff Finals,
with any higher division club having top ranking.

Play offs:
Between Regions --> Sections

I believe that
the potential for six relegated clubs from a 22 team division is too many, so
that potential number is reduced to five.

The next two
lowest teams above those three already relegated will take place in a playoff
with the second and third placed teams from the level below. They would be
the top seeded club and receive home advantage throughout.

The remaining
six teams would be ranked by League placing and by
then PPG so the clubs from the level above
would play third place teams in their first playoff match.

Example:

16

Red

Safe

Bottom of Region

17

Blue

Safe

18

Green

Relegation playoffs

19

Yellow

20

Purple

21

Orange

Relegated

22

Gold

Three Sections

Points per Game ratio

Points per Game ratio

Points per Game ratio

1

Grey

2.15

Indigo

2.40

Pink

1.97

Promoted as Champions

2

Violet

2.01

Rose

2.35

Scarlet

1.96

Promotion Play offs

3

Silver

1.96

Mauve

2.20

Black

1.94

Promotion Play offs

4

Tan

1.87

White

2.00

Cyan

1.90

No change

5

Brown

1.83

Lime

1.65

Magenta

1.88

No change

Playoffs would be:

Green v Black

Yellow v Silver

Rose v Mauve

Violet v Scarlet

Highest Ranked of the two finalists play at home in the
two Playoff Finals, with any higher division club having top ranking. The
highest ranked team would play the lowest ranked with rankings decided on
League placing and PPG in that order.

Relegation from
the Sections would technically be the bottom three clubs, but in reality
there may not be that many applications from County Leagues, so there could
be many reprieves here.

When the clubs
are known for each step, then pooling would apply. Teams could be moved back
and forwards frequently if required, as there is less of a handicap to them
because travel times are reduced.

The Suggested Club Allocations - Northern Conference

Northern Conference

AFC Fylde

AFC Telford United

Altrincham

Ashton United

Barrow

Blyth Spartans

Boston United

Bradford Park Avenue

Chorley

Colwyn Bay

FC United of Manchester

Gainsborough Trinity

Guiseley

Harrogate Town

Hednesford Town

Matlock Town

North Ferriby United

Skelmersdale United

Stalybridge Celtic

Stockport County

Vauxhall Motors

Whitby Town

Workington

Worksop Town

Northern Region - North East

Northern Region - West

Northern Region - North Midland

Barton Town Old Boys

Bamber Bridge

Barwell

Belper Town

Burscough

Bedworth United

Brigg Town

Cammell Laird

Buxton

Brighouse Town

Clitheroe

Chasetown

Carlton Town

Curzon Ashton

Coalville Town

Darlington 1883

Droylsden

Gresley FC

Farsley FC

Kendal Town

Halesowen Town

Frickley Athletic

Lancaster City

Highgate United

Goole AFC

Marine

Huntingdon Town

Grantham Town

Mossley

Kidsgrove Athletic

Harrogate Railway Athletic

Nantwich Town

Leek Town

Ilkeston FC

New Mills

Loughborough Dynamo

Lincoln United

Northwich Victoria

Market Drayton Town

Mickleover Sports

Padiham

Newcastle Town

Ossett Town

Prescot Cables

Norton United

Rainworth Miners Welfare

Radcliffe Borough

Rugby Town

Scarborough Athletic

Ramsbottom United

Romulus

Sheffield FC

Runcorn Linnets

Spalding United

Spennymoor Town

Salford City

Stafford Rangers

Stocksbridge Park Steels

Trafford

Stamford

Wakefield

Warrington Town

Sutton Coldfield Town

West Auckland Town

Witton Albion

Tividale

North East Section - A

North East Section - B

North East Section - C

West Section - A

West Section - B

West Section - C

North Midland Section - 1

North Midland Section - 2

North Midland Section - 3

Ashington

Billingham Synthonia

AFC Emley

AFC
Blackpool

1874 Northwich

AFC Wulfrunians

Arnold Town

Bardon Hill

Alvis Sporting Club

Bedlington
Terriers

Billingham Town

Albion Sports

AFC
Liverpool

Abbey Hey

Bewdley Town

Athersley
Recreation

Basford United

Atherstone Town

Celtic
Nation

Birtley Town

Armthorpe Welfare

Ashton
Athletic

Alsager Town

Bilston Town

Clipstone

Blaby & Whetstone Ath

Black Country Rangers

Dunston
UTS

Bishop Auckland

Bottesford Town

Ashton Town

Brocton

Causeway United

Eastwood
Town / Dronfield Tn

Borrowash Victoria

Boldmere St Michaels

Heaton
Stannington

Chester-le-Street Town

Bridlington Town

Atherton
Collieries

Cheadle Town

Dudley Town

Glasshoughton
Welfare

Dunkirk

Bolehall Swifts

Hebburn
Town

Consett

Cleethorpes Town

Atherton
Laburnum Rovers

Congleton Town

Ellesmere Rangers

Lincoln
Moorlands Railway

Ellistown & Ibstock
United

Coleshill Town

Jarrow
Roofing

Crook Town

Eccleshill United

Bacup &
Rossendale Borough

Glossop North End

Gornal Athletic

Liversedge

Graham Street Prims

Continental Star

Morpeth
Town

Darlington Railway Athletic

Garforth Town

Barnoldswick
Town

Hanley Town

Heath Hayes

Maltby Main

Heanor Town

Coventry Sphinx

Newcastle
Benfield

Durham City

Hall Road Rangers

Bootle

Irlam

Lichfield City

Nostell
Miners Welfare

Heather St Johns

Cradley Town

North
Shields

Guisborough Town

Knaresborough Town

Chadderton

Maine Road

Lye Town

Ossett
Albion

Holbrook Sports

Harrowby United

Seaham
Red Star

Marske United

Pickering Town

Colne

Rocester

Shawbury United

Parkgate

Holwell Sports

Kirby Muxloe

South
Shields

Newton Aycliffe

Retford United

Formby

Runcorn Town

Smethwick Rangers

Pontefract
Collieries

Long Eaton United

Lutterworth Athletic

Sunderland
RCA

Northallerton Town

Rossington Main

Holker Old
Boys

St Helens Town

Sporting Khalsa

Shaw Lane
Aquaforce

Loughborough University

Nuneaton Griff

Team
Northumbria

Norton & Stockton
Ancients

Selby Town

Nelson

Stafford Town

Stourport Swifts

Shirebrook
Town

Quorn

Oadby Town

Washington

Penrith

Tadcaster Albion

Rochdale
Town

Stockport Sports

Tipton Town

Staveley
Miners Welfare

Shepshed Dynamo

Sleaford Town

West
Allotment Celtic

Shildon

Thackley

Silsden

West Didsbury & Chorlton

Wednesfield

Teversal

St Andrews

Southam United

Whickham

Tow Law Town

Winterton Rangers

Squires Gate

Widnes Vikings

Wellington Amateurs

Worksop
Parramore

Stapenhill

Sutton Town AFC

Whitley
Bay

Willington

Yorkshire Amateur

Wigan Robin
Park

Winsford United

Wolverhampton Casuals

Worsbrough
Bridge Athletic

Thurnby Nirvana

Walsall Wood

The Suggested Club Allocations - Southern Conference

Southern Conference

Basingstoke Town

Bath City

Bideford

Brackley Town

Chesham United

Dorchester Town

Eastleigh

Farnborough

Gloucester City

Gosport Borough

Havant & Waterlooville

Hayes & Yeading United

Hemel Hempstead Town

Hungerford Town

Leamington

Maidenhead United

Oxford City

Poole Town

Rushall Olympic

Solihull Moors

St Albans City

Stourbridge

Weston-super-Mare

Worcester City

South Midland Region

South & West Region

North Thames Region

Ampthill Town

AFC Totton

Arlesey Town

Ardley United

Bashley

Barkingside

Aylesbury

Bridgwater Town

Barton Rovers

Aylesbury United

Chippenham Town

Beaconsfield SYCOB

Banbury United

Cirencester Town

Biggleswade Town

Bedford Town

Clevedon Town

Chalfont St Peter

Bishops Cleeve

Frome Town

Cheshunt

Cinderford Town

Gillingham Town

Enfield 1893

Corby Town

Larkhall Athletic

Enfield Town

Daventry Town

Mangotsfield United

Harlow Town

Didcot Town

Merthyr Town

Harrow Borough

Dunstable Town

Paulton Rovers

Hendon

Evesham United

Sholing

Hitchin Town

Kettering Town

Shortwood United

North Greenford United

Leighton Town

Swindon Supermarine

Northwood

Marlow

Taunton Town

Potters Bar Town

North Leigh

Tiverton Town

Redbridge

Redditch United

Truro City

Royston Town

St Neots Town

Weymouth

Slough Town

Stratford Town

Wimborne Town

Tower Hamlets

Thatcham Town

Winchester City

Waltham Abbey

Wantage Town

Yate Town

Wingate & Finchley

South Midland Section - A

South Midland Section - B

South Midland Section - C

South & West Section - A

South & West Section - B

South & West Section - C

North Thames Section - A

North Thames Section - B

North Thames Section - C

Almondsbury
UWE

Abingdon Town

AFC Rushden & Diamonds

AFC St
Austell

Blackfield & Langley

Ashton & Backwell United

AFC
Dunstable

Ascot United

Baldock Town

Alvechurch

Abingdon United

Buckingham Athletic

Barnstaple
Town

Bournemouth

Bishop Sutton

AFC Kempston
Rovers

Ashford Town (Middlesex)

Biggleswade United

Brimscombe
& Thrupp

AFC Hinksey

Buckingham Town

Bodmin Town

Bridport

Bitton

Bedford

Bedfont & Feltham

Cockfosters

Bromsgrove
Sporting

Chippenham Park

Burton Park Wanderers

Bovey Tracey

Brockenhurst

Bradford Town

Berkhamsted

Bedfont Sports

Godmanchester Rovers

Cheltenham
Saracens

Clanfield 85

Cogenhoe United

Buckland
Athletic

Christchurch

Brislington

Chalfont
Wasps

Codicote

Eynesbury Rovers

Earlswood
Town

Corsham Town

Easington Sports

Camelford

Fawley AFC

Bristol Manor Farm

Chinnor

Colney Heath

FC Broxbourne Borough

Fairford
Town

Devizes Town

Harborough Town

Elburton
Villa

Hamworthy United

Cadbury Heath

Crawley
Green

Hanworth Villa

St Neots Town Saints

Littleton

Headington Amateurs

Hook Norton

Exmouth Town

Hythe & Dibden

Chard Town

Flackwell
Heath

Harefield United

Hadley

Lydney
Town

Highworth Town

Irchester United

Godolphin
Atlantic

Lymington Town

Cribbs

Henley Town

Harpenden Town

Newmarket Town

Pegasus
Juniors

Kidlington

Long Buckby AFC

Ilfracombe
Town

New Milton Town

Hallen

Holmer Green

Hatfield Town

Hertford Town

Roman
Glass St George

Melksham Town

Northampton ON Chenecks

Ivybridge
Town

Ringwood Town

Hengrove Athletic

Kings
Langley

Holyport

Hillingdon Borough

Slimbridge

Milton United

Northampton Sileby Rangers

Launceston

Romsey Town

Longwell Green Sports

Leverstock
Green

London Colney

Hoddesdon Town

Studley

New College Swindon

Northampton Spencer

Newquay

Sherborne Town

Odd Down

Newport
Pagnell Town

London Tigers

London Lions

Tuffley
Rovers

Oxford City Nomads

Olney Town

Plymouth
Parkway

Street

Radstock Town

Oxhey Jets

Rayners Lane

Potton United

Tytherington
Rocks

Pewsey Vale

Raunds Town

Saltash
United

Totton & Eling

Shepton Mallet

Penn &
Tylers Green

Spelthorne Sports

St Margaretsbury

Wellington

Purton

Rushden & Higham United

St Blazey

Verwood Town

Wellington

Sun Postal
Sports

Staines Lammas

Stotfold

Westfields

Shrivenham

Wellingborough Town

Torpoint
Athletic

Wells City

Welton Rovers

Thame United

Welwyn Garden City

Ware

Winterbourne
United

Wootton Bassett Town

Winslow United

Witheridge

Wincanton Town

Willand Rovers

Tring
Athletic

Windsor

Wembley

The Suggested Club Allocations - Isthmian Conference

Isthmian Conference

AFC Hornchurch

Bishop's Stortford

Bognor Regis Town

Boreham Wood

Bromley

Bury Town

Cambridge City

Chelmsford City

Concord Rangers

Dover Athletic

Dulwich Hamlet

Eastbourne Borough

Ebbsfleet United

Hampton & Richmond
Borough

Histon

Kings Lynn Town

Kingstonian

Lowestoft Town

Maidstone United

Staines Town

Sutton United

Tonbridge Angels

Wealdstone

Whitehawk

South East Region

South M25 Region

East Region

Ashford United

AFC Hayes

AFC Sudbury

Burgess Hill Town

Burnham

Aveley

Chatham Town

Carshalton Athletic

Billericay Town

Crawley Down Gatwick

Chipstead

Brentwood Town

East Preston

Corinthian-Casuals

Brightlingsea Regent

Faversham Town

Cray Wanderers

Burnham Ramblers

Folkestone Invicta

Egham Town

Canvey Island

Guernsey

Epsom & Ewell

Dereham Town

Hastings United

Erith & Belvedere

East Thurrock United

Herne Bay

Godalming Town

Grays Athletic

Horsham

Hanwell Town

Hadleigh United

Hythe Town

Leatherhead

Heybridge Swifts

Lewes

Merstham

Leiston

Littlehampton Town

Metropolitan Police

Maldon & Tiptree

Margate

South Park

Needham Market

Peacehaven & Telscombe

Thamesmead Town

St Ives Town

Ramsgate

Tooting & Mitcham United

Romford

Redhill

Uxbridge

Soham Town Rangers

Sittingbourne

VCD Athletic

Thurrock

Three Bridges

Walton & Hersham

Tilbury

Whitstable Town

Walton Casuals

Witham Town

Worthing

Whyteleafe

Wroxham

South East Section - A

South East Section - B

South East Section - C

South M25 Section - A

South M25 Section - B

South M25 Section - C

East Section - A

East Section - B

East Section - C

AFC
Uckfield

Arundel

AFC Portchester

Alton Town

Broadbridge Heath

AFC Croydon Athletic

Boston Town

CRC

Barking

Bearsted

Chichester City

Alresford Town

Binfield

Chertsey Town

Beckenham Town

Deeping
Rangers

Brantham Athletic

Basildon United

Bexhill
United

Eastbourne Town

Amesbury Town

Bracknell
Town

Chessington & Hook United

Bridon Ropes

Desborough
Town

Debenham LC

Bowers & Pitsea

Canterbury
City

Eastbourne United Association

Andover Town

Camberley
Town

Colliers Wood United

Corinthian

Diss Town

FC Clacton

Clapton

Crowborough
Athletic

Hailsham Town

Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Cove

Dorking Wanderers

Cray Valley (PM)

Fakenham
Town

Felixstowe & Walton
United

Eton Manor

Deal
Town

Hassocks

Cowes Sports

Eversley
& California

Epsom Athletic

Croydon

Ely City

Halstead Town

FC Romania

Fleet
Leisure

Haywards Heath Town

Downton

Farnham Town

Farleigh Rovers

East Grinstead Town

Gorleston

Haverhill Borough

Great Wakering Rovers

Hollands
& Blair

Lancing

Fareham Town

Fleet Town

Horley Town

Erith Town

Great
Yarmouth Town

Haverhill Rovers

Greenhouse London

Little
Common

Mile Oak

Folland Sports

Frimley
Green

Horsham YMCA

Fisher

Holbeach
United

Ipswich Wanderers

Haringey Borough

Lordswood

Newhaven

Horndean

Hartley
Wintney

Loxwood

Greenwich Borough

Kirkley
& Pakefield

Mildenhall Town

Hullbridge Sports

Lydd
Town

Pagham

Laverstock & Ford

Highmoor
Ibis

Mole Valley SCR

Holmesdale

Norwich
United

Saffron Walden Town

Ilford

Rochester
United

Ringmer

Moneyfields

Knaphill

Molesey

Kent Football United

Peterborough
Northern Star

Stansted

London APSA

Rusthall

Selsey

Newport (IOW)

Newbury

Raynes Park Vale

Lingfield

Peterborough
Sports

Stanway Rovers

London Bari

Rye
United

Shoreham

Petersfield Town

Reading Town

Guildford City

Oakwood

Stewarts
& Lloyds Corby

Team Bury

Sawbridgeworth Town

Sevenoaks
Town

St Francis Rangers

Stockbridge

Sandhurst
Town

Westfield

Orpington

Swaffham
Town

Walsham-le-Willows

Southend Manor

Tunbridge
Wells

Steyning Town

Team Solent

Southall

Worcester Park

Phoenix Sports

Thetford
Town

Whitton United

Sporting Bengal United

Westfield

Wick & Barnham United

United Services Portsmouth

Tadley
Calleva

Ash United

Seven Acre & Sidcup

Wisbech Town

Wivenhoe Town

Takeley

Woodstock
Sports

Worthing United

Whitchurch United

Wokingham
& Emmbrook

Badshot Lea

Sutton Athletic

Yaxley

Woodbridge Town

Waltham Forest