Old or New News......

[carjam]

Sun Jun 22 2003

fa approves national game restructuring

The "National Game" (the non-league pyramid to you and me) has had its new structure approved by the FA. Below the conference will be two divisions from 2004/5, with three feeders promoting into those two.

 

 

http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/news.mpl/2003/06/22/a

 

[David Holden]

They also approve stabbing non-league clubs in back by reducing FA Cup prize money, thus renaging on an earlier promise.

[mikef]

Unfortunately I don't think they had any choice.

We all know what happened with the money supply after the collapse of ITV Digital & now from reports I have read the BBC/ITV/SKY companies/consortiums intend paying a lot less for football rights next season. It looks like the bubble may have well & truly burst.

 

Mike F

[David Holden]

I think they did have a choice Mike, the prize money from the third round onwards has not been cut.

 

Surely they could have made a smaller across the board cut rather than let the whole burden fall on the smaller clubs.

[mikef]

Totally agree with you there Dave.

I suppose they have to look after the poor! hard done by Premier League teams who have to pay their players a little! extra as they don't have part time jobs to top up their football salaries like our players have to.

 

Mike F

[ifa]

Does the restructuring mean that there will be only one club relegated at the end of the season?

[David Holden]

Nope!

 

After the conference made all the fuss about how important it was that we should move to 24 teams in the Conference and 24 teams in the two feeders, it decided not to push ahead for that and there will be 22 teams.

 

Three teams will be relegated this season into the two new divisions, but we won't be one of them.

[carjam]

I hope your right Dave. Really Do.

[Slartibartfast]

Quote:

Three teams will be relegated this season into the two new divisions, but we won't be one of them.

I think you'll find that the official ruling was that....
" Three teams will be relegated this season into the two new divisions, but Stevenage will not be one of them. If Stevenage finish in the bottom three then either the team in nineteenth will be relegated in their place or one of the promoted teams will not be accepted due to state of ground/financial irregularities. "

[Gordon T]

Quote:

from the third round onwards has not been cut.

Surely they could have made a smaller across the board cut rather than let the whole burden fall on the smaller clubs.

Also more money should be given to the lower clubs who need it. If they win give them a bigger share so they don't end up going bankrupt

[The Doctor]

Havent the FA cup money been reduced but that money has been put into FA trophy and Vase money? or have i read something wrong here? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Gordon T]

well in that case it is alright. Just hope we don't go out first round again to someone like Dover (again) Lee spillers' header knocked us out last season

[The Doctor]

Didnt get to that game, but i think i would agree with what the commentator said that night...that it was a blessing in disguise because it meant we could concentrate solely on the league.

[Gordon T]

I remember listenoing to it. Either that commentetor is the worlds most boring man,(which he probably isn't) or that match was even more boring then the Hme match to farnboro or the away match to Leigh

[The Doctor]

NOTHING can beat the away match to Leigh in the boring stakes, lol. Don't think be able to beat that...although our streak in the Ryman against Purfleet and Basingstoke, both 0-0!

[Gordon T]

how about when we lost 2 boreham wood, in the last couple of minutes they scored. I remember thinking we had ruined our chances of promotion. Suddenly the tannoy announced canvey had lost to sutton!!

[carjam]

And can I assume that the following seanon relegation will be increased to four places..two for each division

[David Holden]

You can assume it Carjam <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but it aint happening!

 

Are you sitting comfortably, then I'll begin......

 

There will be three teams relegated to the 2 feeder divisions to be replaced by 3 teams from those feeders. The 2 champions will be promoted as of right.

 

The teams in 2nd to 5th Place in each of the two feeders will take part in a play-off with the winner of these play-offs playing each other for the third spot.

 

Now aren't you glad you asked?

[David Holden]

Quote:

They also approve stabbing non-league clubs in back by reducing FA Cup prize money, thus renaging on an earlier promise.

Here is an interesting article on the Bristol Rovers Site

[Gordon T]

So many plyoffs!!! just think, if canvey were in it could come second, to then get a playoff spot just to be knocked out. A lot more fun I think