Promotion and Relegation for Season 2019/20

June 29, 2019June 29, 2019

Here is an exclusive look at the FA plans for the non-league pyramid over the next few years.

2018/19 saw a new Step 3 and Step 4 division, and now we are going into the second phase of the National League Systems restructure designed to create a pure Pyramid.

From 2020/21 there will be an 8th Step 4 division meaning many extra promotions in April/May 2020.

Here we have a look at the changes for Promotion & Relegation in 2019-20 while paying special attention to how it affects our own Step 5 and 6 Divisions.

Step 1 (National League)
2 promoted – Champions plus 1 via play-offs

Bottom 4 relegated.

Step 2 (National League South)
2 promoted from each division – Champions plus 1 via play-offs

Bottom 2 relegated from each division

Step 3 (Bostik Premier)
2 promoted from each division – Champions plus 1 via play-offs

Bottom 2 relegated from each division, along with 2 third bottom clubs on PPG

Bottom two sides from each division will be relegated to Step 4. Another two “third bottom” clubs will be relegated on a PPG basis. If there are any reprieves available then one of the relegated PPG sides will get that reprieve. The bottom club of each division will not be eligible for a reprieve.

Step 4 (Bostik South East)
2 promoted from each Division – Champions plus 1 via play-offs

At Step 4, the bottom side will go into a playoff with against a Step 5 side. The match will be hosted by the Step 4 side and the winner will play at Step 4 the following season with the loser playing at Step 5.

Step 5 (SCEFL Premier)
At Step 5, due to the expansion of Step 4 in 2020/2021, more sides than usual will promoted. Every champion will go up. In the North West Counties, Northern League and Northern Counties East, the top 3 sides will be promoted. In the other 11 divisions, the four runners up with the best PPG will be promoted. The other seven runners up will playoff against the seven bottom sides at Step 4 to see who will play at Step 4 the following season.

The bottom side from each of the fourteen divisions will be ranked on a PPG basis. The two sides with the best PPG will be reprieved, the other 12 will be relegated.

Step 6 (SCEFL First)
The top four teams from each division will be promoted, with the exception of the SWP division which will promote two sides from each division.

At Step 6, the bottom two sides are liable to relegatation to Step 7. If any reprieves are available then the side with the best PPG will be reprieved.

Step 7
There are 46 divisions at Step 7. There is the ability to promote more than one club from each division if geographically necessary. Sides wishing to be promoted to Step 6 need to apply by 31st December and pass certain criteria.