Non-League football pyramid is set for a restructure

The Football Association are set to push on with a restructure of the National League SystemThe Football Association are set to push on with a restructure of the National League System
The Football Association are set to push on with a restructure of the National League System
The proposed restructure of the National League System had been put on hold for a year

The Football Association have announced they want to move forward with the restructuring of the non-league pyramid - which could lead to more than 100 clubs moving into higher level divisions.

This was due to take place at the end of the 2019-20 season, but was deferred after the campaign was made null and void.

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With steps three to six of the National League System being curtailed this term, the FA have announced they are hoping to move forward with the restructure by using results from the past two campaigns to rank teams.

If proposals are ratified by the FA Council, an additional division will be created at step four, along with two additional divisions at step five and a reduction of divisions, from 20 to 17, at step six.

"As part of the proposals, 110 clubs would be upwardly moved within the pyramid at steps four to six in order to facilitate the new divisions, protecting the integrity of the NLS whilst supporting clubs with a desire and ambition to progress, without undermining the stability of the system," the FA announced.

"The restructure will have a positive impact on a significant number of clubs, supporting them with reduced travel and costs and providing greater opportunities for generating income via localised fixtures."

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The FA want to create a 'pure pyramid' from steps three to six. At present some divisions have differing numbers of member clubs, which means the numbers of teams facing promotion and relegation at the same step will not be equal - offering unfair advantages to some.

The FA's statement added: "Following the curtailment of the 2020-21 league season for steps three to six of the National League System (NLS), our Alliance and Leagues Committees announced that they would consider the feasibility of undertaking the restructure at steps four to six.

"The committees have now met to consider this matter and will be recommending to FA Council that the structural changes to the number of divisions in the NLS be completed in order to address the imbalance that currently exists and achieve the ‘pure pyramid’ at steps one to six."

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