Blues reprieved after second reshuffle

By David Watters

The Football Association

Confirmation of a second reallocation of clubs in next season’s national league system by the Football Association has seen Wingate & Finchley reprieved from Ryman Premier relegation and Ware reinstated in Ryman North after being initially switched to the Southern League.

The reshuffle of the pyramid at Steps 3 & 4 by the FA’s Leagues Committee was prompted by the knock-on effects of the resignation of Worksop Town from the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division last week.

As the Step 3 club with the best record on a points per game basis from the 2013-14 season, Wingate & Finchley were handed the reprieve that Worksop’s resignation created at that level. As a result, Hayes & Yeading, due to join the Ryman Premier following relegation from Conference South, will now join the Southern League.

In a separate but related matter, Hayes & Yeading are appealing against relegation from Conference South. Should they be successful, Oxford City will take their place at Step 3 and will enter the Southern League instead to ensure a further reallocation is not required.

At Step 4, the unfilled place in Ryman North left by Wingate & Finchley not dropping down was filled by cancelling Ware’s switch to the Southern League. The reprieve that was created at Step 4 by Worksop Town not dropping down was granted to Kidsgrove Athletic, the NPL First Division South club with the next best points per game record at that level after the reprieves earned by Redhill and by Wroxham.

It is hoped that this will be the last changes to the Constitution but this will not be finalised until the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 15 June.

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe