I think there would be numerous stages in order to make this work, amazing how common maths can bring such a positive response. Firstly, the biggest losers out of this would be the step 5 divisions, who would lose a huge number of teams in the reorganisation. Therefore my first stage would be to increase the number of current step 5 leagues to 18, then after a few seasons I would include a midland division at step 3, making the pyramid look 1-2-4-6-18 (with a northern one and midland one). The next stage would be the most difficult in my eyes, essentially promoting two divisions from step 5 to step 4, due to the number of teams (44) that would be needed.

You mean these?

http://www.mikeavery.co.uk/NewAlliancePremierLeague.htm

http://www.mikeavery.co.uk/...PremRegionalConf.htm

After last weeks meeting at Leicester there was almost unilateral arguments against 12 step 5 divisions, ranging from time and money to growth and retention with a reference to the green footprint thrown in for good measure.

It has been discussed so many times before on this board before, but when the Gresley representative stood up and took over the floor to show how it would work and combat Bishop Stortford and Witham Town-esque problems, it was amazing how many people agreed.

for the good of football This was demonstrated to be the way we should be working towards in the future, it couldnt happen overnight, but I beleive in 10 or maybe less years we could have the holy grail.

All the changes that need to be made have happened in the past and have precedents,
you would need 1 x step 3 (Midland?),
2 x step 4 (Midland East & West) and
2 step 5 leagues (elevate 2 current step 6 leagues?)

It can be done, but many issues would, so am asking through the board what issues? and possible solutions?

I think there would be numerous stages in order to make this work, amazing how common maths can bring such a positive response. Firstly, the biggest losers out of this would be the step 5 divisions, who would lose a huge number of teams in the reorganisation. Therefore my first stage would be to increase the number of current step 5 leagues to 18, then after a few seasons I would include a midland division at step 3, making the pyramid look 1-2-4-6-18 (with a northern one and midland one). The next stage would be the most difficult in my eyes, essentially promoting two divisions from step 5 to step 4, due to the number of teams (44) that would be needed.

In Reply To

That's the ones

I don't get the need for mathematical symmetry (either 1-2-3-6-12 or 1-2-4-8-16). You can achieve the same desires of clean promotion and appropriate league allocations by fixing regional boundaries and ringfencing promotion / relegation within that.

I note we are unlikely to get 12 step 5 promotees this season, as usual, with the likelihood of more Midlands teams leaving the Southern League and expanding the NPL boundaries south again this summer.

I don't get the need for mathematical symmetry (either 1-2-3-6-12 or 1-2-4-8-16). You can achieve the same desires of clean promotion and appropriate league allocations by fixing regional boundaries and ringfencing promotion / relegation within that.

In Reply To

Never mind pussy footing around with it.

Just introduce a complete overhaul of the NLS for the 2013/14 season and give clubs ‘x’ amount of years to meet ground requirements (or failing that, change the ground requirements). Mike Avery has (or had) a working example on his website.

That said, I would go even further and have a 2-4-8-16-32 split, with much smaller divsions (every division at the revised Step 2 down to have a maximum of 18 clubs, cutting down on loss making mid week games) A single division at level 5 still doesn’t make a lot of sense, especially when compared with the European models.

I would also introduce an appication for promotion system for ALL steps, similar to the current step 5 to step 4 scenario. The biggest problem with the current model is that clubs (and fans) assume they must take promotion. It is (or should be) purely optional.

why does relaxing the gradings create an invisible wall?

if they are relaxed all the way up the non-league pyramid then the step change for promotion whilst slightly larger than now would still be manageable for clubs seeking promotion


andrew c

Operating with such an appendix could easily allow for a much broader pyramid to develop. It's not rocket surgery.

In Reply To

Are you a doctor ?

In Reply To

You have answered your own question there really, if you had a proper pyramid (1.2.4.8.16) , there would be less (if any) likelihood of more Midlands teams leaving the southern league and expanding the NPL Boundaries south.