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:

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

• To provide a framework for discussion on matters of policy and common interest to Leagues and Clubs.

• To allow the seasonal movement of Clubs.

All Leagues, and Clubs participating from time to time in such Leagues (the "Clubs"), shall be bound by these regulations. All Leagues will be required to sign a copy of these regulations on an annual basis signifying their agreement to be bound by their content.

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

The Leagues currently at Step 5, 6 and 7 are set out in the attachment to these regulations, and a review will commence during season 2004/2005

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 National League System Committee ("NLSC") from time to time. The decision as to whether or not a League should be admitted to, and their position in the National League System shall be made by the NLSC 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 NLSC by 31^st December in any year for such proposal to be determined by the NLSC in order, if approved, to have effect in the season commencing in the following calendar year.

3.1 The National League System shall provide for the seasonal promotion and relegation 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 NLSC using the prescribed form, and to the League of which it is currently a member, by 31^st December in any year.

4.1 Eligibility criteria, including ground grading, shall be agreed between the NLSC and the various Leagues. Details of the 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 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 three places at Step 1 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 1^st position in each of the divisions at Step 2 together with the Club which wins 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 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 1^st 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 four places in each of the three divisions at Step 3 will be relegated to a feeder pool and placed in the most geographical appropriate division at Step 4. They will be replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1^st and 2^nd position in each of the divisions at Step 4 together with a further four Clubs to be determined by a series of play off matches involving those Clubs finishing in positions 3 to 6 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 four divisions at Step 4 will be replaced by the eight most suitable Clubs from the fifteen Leagues at Step 5. Each of these Leagues will nominate the Club finishing in 1^st position or where this Club does not meet the entry criteria or does not wish to be considered for promotion, the Club finishing in 2^nd position. 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.

Clubs seeking promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 must make application in writing to The Football Association, copied to the existing League, by 31^st December in the relevant year. The application must be accompanied by the agreed grading fee, as determined by the NLSC, which is non refundable. The Football Association will arrange for ground grading visits to take place before 31^st March in the relevant year. A final list of Clubs eligible to be considered for promotion will be published by 15^th 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 until the restructure of the Leagues competing at these Steps has been completed.

Each League shall include in its constitutional rules and regulations provisions for the movement of Clubs as detailed above.

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 NLSC, 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 NLSC by 1^st April in the relevant year in order to be valid.

5.3 If a Club (whether a Members’ Club or a Company) is liquidated and then wishes to reform, unless otherwise determined by the NLSC, 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.

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 NLSC 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 NLSC shall be final and binding

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

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

8.1 The NLSC 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 NLSC 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 NLSC 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 NLSC or a body constituted by a County Football Association).

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 NLSC; 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.

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.

(As from season 2004/2005)

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