We look at the latest list of promotions and relegations and playoff confirmations within the non league pyramid during midweek.
AFC Telford United were relegated from the National League North on Tuesday night, confirmed after Farsley Celtic’s 2-1 win over Brackley Town.
This leaves Telford 18 points behind safety with only five games remaining, meaning they will play in the Southern League or Northern Premier League next season.
They haven’t played in the 7th tier of the English football pyramid since 2007.
Telford became the second side in the top seven English football divisions to be relegated this season, following Maidstone United in National League.
Gavin Cowan was sacked by the Bucks in October after a poor start to the season, with Kevin Wilkin, a Telford target for many years, appointed as the new manager.
However, despite a six-game run of unbeaten play from Boxing Day forwards and despite only losing two of their six last games, including two wins in that run, he couldn’t stop from going down.
AFC Telford United are a ‘phoenix club’ formed back in 2004 by supporters following the liquidation at Telford United.
After their reformation in the 8th tier, they were twice promoted to the National League in 2011 and 2014, but both times were relegated the season after 2013 and 2015.
They had only had one top-half finish in eight seasons under Cowan, and only managed to escape relegation by two points last season.
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Another side being relegated on Tuesday night are Belper Town, losing their place in the Northern Premier League – Premier Division.
The Nailers, who lost 1-0 at home to Marske United, have only picked up 7 wins out of 38 games played so far.
The latest result means they are now only 13 points away from safety. Marske’s win moves them out of Belper’s reach and one point clear of the zone of relegation.
Belper lasted just one season in the 7th tier, having been promoted via play-offs last season under Grant Black, as per DerbyshireTimes.
He left the club in September to move to Ossett United, was replaced by Steve Kittrick, his stay came to an end in January with him now at Basford United.
Current Belper boss Lee Attenborough joined from Corby as Kittrick’s successor, but couldn’t keep them up.
A disappointed but philosophical Lee Attenborough pic.twitter.com/x7IAwKjxt4
— 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 | 𝟣𝟪𝟪𝟥 (@BelperTownFC) April 4, 2023
PROMOTIONS, PLAYOFFS AND RELEGATIONS – 4th April
Telford United NLN are relegated
Belper Town NLP Prem are relegated
Weston-super-Mare SLS have secured a playoff berth
Tamworth SLC have secured a playoff berth
Leiston SLC have secured a playoff berth
Sandbach NWCL1S have secured a playoff berth
Cheadle Town NWCL1S have secured a playoff berth
Framlington Town ECL1N have secured a playoff berth
Milton Utd HL1 have secured a playoff berth
Saltash Utd WL Prem have secured a playoff berth
Birtley Town NLD2 secured a playoff berth
PROMOTIONS, PLAYOFFS AND RELEGATIONS – 1st April
Maidstone Utd NL are relegated
King’s Lynn Town NLN have secured a playoff berth
Brightlingsea Regent ILPD are relegated
Macclesfield NPL1W are champions and promoted
Leek Town NPL1W have secured a playoff berth
Ramsbottom Utd NPL1W are relegated
Coalville Town NPL1M have secured a playoff berth
Hednesford Town NPL1M are relegated
Berkhamsted SL1C are champions and promoted
Campion NCEL1 are champions and promoted
Market Drayton Town MFL Prem are relegated
Wormley Rovers ECL1S have secured a playoff berth
SC Thamesmead SCEL1 are liable for relegation
Sandbach Utd NWCL1S have secured a playoff berth
PROMOTIONS, PLAYOFFS AND RELEGATIONS – 25th March
– AFC Rushden & Diamonds SLPC relegated
– Tadcaster Albion NPL1E are relegated
– AFC Fylde NLN have secured a playoff berth
– Ebbsfleet United have secured a playoff berth
– Tadcaster Albion NPL1E are relegated
– AFC Sudbury IL1N have secured a playoff berth
– Ashton Athletic NWCL Prem are relegated
– North Ferriby NCEL Prem are champions and promoted
– Wakefield AFC NCEL1 have secured a playoff berth
– Boro Rangers NL2 have secured a playoff berth
– Horden CW NL2 have secured a playoff berth
– Aylestone Park UCL1 have secured a playoff berth
– Whitton United ECL Prem are relegated
– Heacham ECL1N have secured a playoff berth
– Alresford Town Wx Prem are relegated
– Retford United CMLN are champions and promoted dependent on passing the ground grading(which they will)
– Copthorne SCL2 have secured a top 5 finish and are promoted dependent on passing the ground grading
– Yarm & Eaglescliffe NRL have secured a top 5 finish and are promoted and are promoted dependent on the ground sharing rules
– Dunmow Town E&SBL have secured a top 5 finish and promoted dependent on passing the ground grading
This is what fans said as we continue with our list of promotions, relegations and playoff confirmations…
ON TELFORD:
@SarahLeeder1: Sad day. Afc Telford are officially relegated. What we need now is consistency. Hope Kevin Wilkin sticks around & he is given the budget he needs to bring in his own players. There was a time, a player put the shirt on & wore it with pride. Not all of our players do that now.
@pipdayx: One of very few grounds that I have visited for an away game. Great welcome, and lots of support for my daughter who uses a wheelchair. Sad for all involved, players, staff, and fans. Regroup and go again 💪🏻
@laurencarla1994: Although it’s been expected for months, it hits different when it’s ‘official’ 😩⚽️
@tomafctu: Right release them all and play the youth until the end of the season.
@MichaelClarke89: Sad times but we’ll bounce back!
@PortDan1121: Telford have been the only side in the NLN destined to go down. It’s been like watching a slow painful death.
@bradderz2205: Play the youth now and get rid of most these bottle jobs @telfordutd
@nweetabix: Very disappointing news. Feel sorry for the fans who go every week and the band of volunteers who have worked tirelessly since @telfordutd was created.
@messiisgeordie: Absolutely abysmal
@supersonicbri: Unbelievable, knew it was coming but still hard to take . I remember when we were called the sleeping giant . The board have had no ambition for years . I feel so sorry for them fans who spend their hard earned money week in week out . What now ? A very sad day .
@GoodersFMS: You reap what you sow
@tonyrichard99: It’s been coming, but it is still awful to see it finally happen…
@Rennie__23: Mind the door doesn’t hit you on the way out 😂👋🏼
@BakeCFC: Telford relegated. Thank god I won’t have to spend another Boxing Day there for quite a while.
ON BELPER:
@GuiseleyAFC: Commiserations to everyone, you’ll be back stronger! It was a joy to visit you earlier in the season and your fans were great at Nethermoor the other week. #GAFC
@HenryRi47296141: Would’ve rather it have been Matlock who knock you down on Monday tbf. Would’ve made atmosphere lots better
@DannySouth1: Gutted to see this lads. Great club run by great people and volunteers. I’m sure you will bounce back 💛🖤
@BSB_1883: Good effort everyone involved in the club. We’ll be back stronger. Keep the faith 💛🖤
@srgsrg91: Been coming a while, but it isn’t the fault of current management team. Green shoots for a strong campaign next year.
@JoshuaJPE: Absolutely heartbroken, but one thing is certain, I’ll be there home and away again next season! Heads up lads!! 💪 💪
@Grufallo: They really kept the fight alive for so long. Let’s go again next season and come back stronger for it!
@Kyledixon941: Great club with some amazing people and great memories for myself last season, I hope you’re back at the top next season 👏
@Steargoatdcfc: Lee, tom and all the players that fought till the end after kittrec left us in a mess should be proud, roll on next season🫡🟡⚫️
@Dave_temp: Such a shame, great club, great members, great volunteers great supporters. All the best next season 💪👍⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
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