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Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 7:26 pm
by DARLODAH
When are the teams in our league for next season, announced?
With 4 'southerly' based teams being relegated from the National league, I suspect there will be some re-alignment of the north / south divide ?

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 7:41 pm
by super_les_mcjannet
Should be announced tomorrow apparently.

We should be getting Farsley Celtic, Kings Lynn, Kettering Town, Gloucester City & Oxford City if the rumours/expectations are correct.

Braintree were mooted but seems the rumours reckon Oxford City will hit the North as opposed to Braintree.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 9:19 pm
by Darlo_Pete
It's absolutely bonkers that Oxford City will be in the North. At least the exiles living in the sarf won't have far too travel to watch us play.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 9:41 pm
by bigdavethemaddog
Bishops Stortford were in the northern section a few years ago

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 10:11 pm
by biccynana
bigdavethemaddog wrote:
Mon May 13, 2019 9:41 pm
Bishops Stortford were in the northern section a few years ago
Teeny bit further north. In fact, Oxford is further south than Braintree, Gloucester, or B Stortford, They could move St Albans, Chelmsford, Hemel Hempstead, or even Billericay to NLN and the team wouldn't be travelling as far south as if they go to Oxford.

Not that a place's relative northerliness or southerliness necessarily has any bearing on the ease of getting there, of course. Oxford's probably easier to get to from Darlo than Braintree is.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 6:18 am
by Beano
I can’t imagine Oxford City are particularly happy either.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 7:24 am
by lo36789
To be honest it looks pretty sensible when you look at the map.

Oxford stretches the division a little more south but not too far east at the same time.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 9:15 am
by H1987
At least Oxford is an easy trip from London. But so was Braintree, so. Meh.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 10:23 am
by spen666
H1987 wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 9:15 am
At least Oxford is an easy trip from London. But so was Braintree, so. Meh.

Ground at Oxford looks naff and miles from the station (mind you so is the Kassam Stadium)

Personally I would prefer Braintree & St Albans to Oxford & Gloucester, but can see why the FA are likely to choose the well known Northern towns of Oxford & Gloucester

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:23 am
by MKDarlo
Oxford from Brackley is hardly a massive boundary stretch - personally i will be delighted if we get Oxford City and Kettering. If only we could get Hemel and St Albans. My own personal home in time for tea league!

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 12:32 pm
by H1987
spen666 wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 10:23 am
H1987 wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 9:15 am
At least Oxford is an easy trip from London. But so was Braintree, so. Meh.

Ground at Oxford looks naff and miles from the station (mind you so is the Kassam Stadium)

Personally I would prefer Braintree & St Albans to Oxford & Gloucester, but can see why the FA are likely to choose the well known Northern towns of Oxford & Gloucester
I had a look myself after posting this, and a little baffled how that's up to standards. I thought there was a minimum capacity, and 2,000 was below it?

Looks a decent enough little ground though. Small stands close to the pitch. It'll do me. Didn't think to look at the distance from the station mind.

Gloucester apparently play at a place called Jubilee Park in Evesham?? It looks absolutely tiny.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 12:35 pm
by Yarblockos
Isn't there a rule that you don't have to move divisions within 3 years of your last move? Worcester were given such an exemption preventing them being moved back to the North a few years ago. Gloucester went from North to South in 2017-18, so they might be within their rights to refuse to move.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 12:48 pm
by JE93
Fair few new grounds next season. None of them particularly spectacular mind. Shame Kettering no longer play at Rockingham Road that was a proper hodge podge little non league ground. Gloucester have applied to move back to a rebuilt Meadow Park at some point next season (so new ground of sorts for them watched us beat them 2-1 at Whaddon Road, Cheltenham in our first season in this league). And obviously York will be moving to their Monks Cross ground at some point next year.

On a selfish note happy to get some of these southern teams. As a London exile been stuck with Brackley and Leamington for a couple of seasons. Now add to that Kettering, Kings Lynn, Gloucester and Oxford. Great for me :thumbup:

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 12:52 pm
by polam
Yarblockos wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 12:35 pm
Isn't there a rule that you don't have to move divisions within 3 years of your last move? Worcester were given such an exemption preventing them being moved back to the North a few years ago. Gloucester went from North to South in 2017-18, so they might be within their rights to refuse to move.
Glos are apparently happy to move North; they have approved plans to move grounds from Evesham back to Meadow Park in the City. Well placed for games v Hereford, Kiddy, etc. as well as Oxford (although if Gateshead don't sort themselves out quickly Oxford could in theory end up back South).

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 1:03 pm
by Quaker85
spen666 wrote:
H1987 wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 9:15 am
At least Oxford is an easy trip from London. But so was Braintree, so. Meh.

Ground at Oxford looks naff and miles from the station (mind you so is the Kassam Stadium)

Personally I would prefer Braintree & St Albans to Oxford & Gloucester, but can see why the FA are likely to choose the well known Northern towns of Oxford & Gloucester

I suspect you would have preferred to be in the National League Image


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Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 2:10 pm
by spen666
Quaker85 wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 1:03 pm
spen666 wrote:
H1987 wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 9:15 am
At least Oxford is an easy trip from London. But so was Braintree, so. Meh.

Ground at Oxford looks naff and miles from the station (mind you so is the Kassam Stadium)

Personally I would prefer Braintree & St Albans to Oxford & Gloucester, but can see why the FA are likely to choose the well known Northern towns of Oxford & Gloucester

I suspect you would have preferred to be in the National League Image


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The situation for Spennymoor in my view is that Chorley finished ahead of us in the league and on Sunday were the better team throughout the game. Chorley deserved to go up. There are no complaints from me at the outcome. To be in the play off final was something I never expected to see for Spennymoor, so I am not too upset at losing

From a selfish travelling point of view, if Spennymoor & Darlington are not in National League, I would prefer them both to be in National League South, but I suspect most Spennymoor or Darlington fans may not be so happy and the clubs financial officers certainly wouldn't

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 3:28 pm
by poppyfield
National League North 2019/20 season with ground capacities. Just waiting on the final 2 teams.


Alfreton Town . 3,600.
Altrincham . 6,085.
Blyth Spartans. 4,435.
Boston United. 6,643 .
Brackley Town. 3,500 .
Bradford (Park Avenue). 3,500.
Chester. 6,500.
Curzon Ashton. 4,000.
Darlington. 3,300 .
Farsley Celtic. 3,900.
Guiseley. 4,200.
Hereford . 4,913 .
Kettering Town. 2,400.
Kidderminster Harriers. 6,238.
King's Lynn Town. 5,733.
Leamington. 2,300.
Southport. 6,008.
Spennymoor Town. 3,000.
Telford United. 6300.
York City. 8,256.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 3:44 pm
by spen666
poppyfield wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 3:28 pm
National League North 2019/20 season with ground capacities. Just waiting on the final 2 teams.


Alfreton Town . 3,600.
Altrincham . 6,085.
Blyth Spartans. 4,435.
Boston United. 6,643 .
Brackley Town. 3,500 .
Bradford (Park Avenue). 3,500.
Chester. 6,500.
Curzon Ashton. 4,000.
Darlington. 3,300 .
Farsley Celtic. 3,900.
Guiseley. 4,200.
Hereford . 4,913 .
Kettering Town. 2,400.
Kidderminster Harriers. 6,238.
King's Lynn Town. 5,733.
Leamington. 2,300.
Southport. 6,008.
Spennymoor Town. 6,000.
Telford United. 6300.
York City. 8,256.

not sure where you got the ground capacities from, but Spennymoor isn't 6000, more like half that.

Also Kettering & Leamington need to expand capacity to 3000 by March 31

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 5:50 pm
by shildonlad
Could not imagine 6k fitting in the brewery field

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 6:07 pm
by Darlo_Pete
shildonlad wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 5:50 pm
Could not imagine 6k fitting in the brewery field
Agreed, the place looks crowded when there is under 2000 in.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 7:10 pm
by poppyfield
poppyfield wrote:
Tue May 14, 2019 3:28 pm
National League North 2019/20 season with ground capacities. Just waiting on the final 2 teams.


Alfreton Town . 3,600.
Altrincham . 6,085.
Blyth Spartans. 4,435.
Boston United. 6,643 .
Brackley Town. 3,500 .
Bradford (Park Avenue). 3,500.
Chester. 6,500.
Curzon Ashton. 4,000.
Darlington. 3,300 .
Farsley Celtic. 3,900.
Guiseley. 4,200.
Hereford . 4,913 .
Kettering Town. 2,400.
Kidderminster Harriers. 6,238.
King's Lynn Town. 5,733.
Leamington. 2,300.
Southport. 6,008.
Spennymoor Town. 3,000.
Telford United. 6300.
York City. 8,256.
I've cut Spennymoor down to size ;)

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 4:15 pm
by Alfie
According to the Braintree twitter thing they expect a decision on who goes into NLN/NLS to be made at the league AGM on 8 June.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 6:05 pm
by spen666
Alfie wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 4:15 pm
According to the Braintree twitter thing they expect a decision on who goes into NLN/NLS to be made at the league AGM on 8 June.
Gloucester city ( and other sources) say decision will be announced on 18 May 2019

http://www.gloucestercityafc.com/north-or-south/

Also the NLP say it will have details on Sunday

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 6:41 pm
by Darlogramps
The correct answer is, it's both.

We'll see the provisional allocations released this weekend, with everything formally ratified at the AGM next month.

Given both Gateshead and Ebbsfleet are both an absolute mess, there's every chance things could change after the provisional allocations are released.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 6:56 pm
by spen666
Darlogramps wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 6:41 pm
....

Given both Gateshead and Ebbsfleet are both an absolute mess, there's every chance things could change after the provisional allocations are released.

Would be very unfair on a team if they are told they were in say NLN and start recruiting players based accordingly and then get switched to the NLS or vice versa between Sunday and the AGM. They will have to restart recruitment again and by then all best players will have been signed up

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 7:05 pm
by Quaker85
spen666 wrote:
Darlogramps wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 6:41 pm
....

Given both Gateshead and Ebbsfleet are both an absolute mess, there's every chance things could change after the provisional allocations are released.

Would be very unfair on a team if they are told they were in say NLN and start recruiting players based accordingly and then get switched to the NLS or vice versa between Sunday and the AGM. They will have to restart recruitment again and by then all best players will have been signed up
That’s exactly what the FA did to a step 5 club down south last season. They moved them across country due to the fall out of a resignation higher up and they lost all the players and management team they’d just appointed. Can’t remember the name of the club.


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Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 7:17 pm
by H1987
I'm not sure what the implications are if Ebbsfleet, Gateshead or both go pop? I can't see them being moved down just a division. If they go, you'd expect it'll be anything new will be a phoenix club, and there will be reprieves for relegated sides? Either that, or they play the conference as a 22 team league for a year, and an extra promotion slot for a north & south side next year.

I have a funny feeling both will compete next year. Gateshead fans need to get behind the existing entity and try to force the owners out - who i think might give up on things when they realise there's nowhere to relocate to.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 7:33 pm
by biccynana
H1987 wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 7:17 pm
I'm not sure what the implications are if Ebbsfleet, Gateshead or both go pop? I can't see them being moved down just a division. If they go, you'd expect it'll be anything new will be a phoenix club, and there will be reprieves for relegated sides? Either that, or they play the conference as a 22 team league for a year, and an extra promotion slot for a north & south side next year.
According to rule 12.6 of the NL, reprieving relegated clubs is the default:
In the event of a Club, not being placed in a relegation position at the end of the season, wishing to resign from the Competition at the end of the season, or having been removed from membership under the Articles the number of Clubs to be relegated shall be reduced accordingly.

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 7:38 pm
by spen666
Quaker85 wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 7:05 pm
spen666 wrote:
Darlogramps wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 6:41 pm
....

Given both Gateshead and Ebbsfleet are both an absolute mess, there's every chance things could change after the provisional allocations are released.

Would be very unfair on a team if they are told they were in say NLN and start recruiting players based accordingly and then get switched to the NLS or vice versa between Sunday and the AGM. They will have to restart recruitment again and by then all best players will have been signed up
That’s exactly what the FA did to a step 5 club down south last season. They moved them across country due to the fall out of a resignation higher up and they lost all the players and management team they’d just appointed. Can’t remember the name of the club.


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You are correct. It is very unfair on the club involved.

It happened to Lowestoft a few years ago when they were swapped from NLN to NLS

Re: Teams in National League North for next season

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 7:39 pm
by spen666
biccynana wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 7:33 pm
H1987 wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 7:17 pm
I'm not sure what the implications are if Ebbsfleet, Gateshead or both go pop? I can't see them being moved down just a division. If they go, you'd expect it'll be anything new will be a phoenix club, and there will be reprieves for relegated sides? Either that, or they play the conference as a 22 team league for a year, and an extra promotion slot for a north & south side next year.
According to rule 12.6 of the NL, reprieving relegated clubs is the default:
In the event of a Club, not being placed in a relegation position at the end of the season, wishing to resign from the Competition at the end of the season, or having been removed from membership under the Articles the number of Clubs to be relegated shall be reduced accordingly.
Reprieve is the case up until the League AGM, after that its running with less clubs