More than 10 clubs withdrawn from their leagues after the FA decided to null and void Steps 3-7 of the non league pyramid.
It comes after South Normanton Athletic became the latest team to resign from their division, following the likes of non league sides Marlow United (withdrew), Brackley Town Saints (withdrew) and NKF Burbage (folded).

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Other non league sides to drop out since July 2019 were Greenwich Borough, Leyton Athletic, Chinnor, Wodson Park, Pewsey Vale, Wootton Blue Cross, Milton United Development and Langley Reserves.
Both Ollerton and Emley have submitted lateral transfers. One from the NCEL1 to the EMCL and the other from the NWCL1N to the NCEL1.
The FA state that “constitutions for Steps 3-7 will remain the same next season.”
That creates a problem for Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man who’d planned to join the North West Counties League in 2020.
We don’t know if an exception will be made for them or if they’ll need to play at Step 8 instead.
Because of the controversial decision, it could see the FA ultimately promoted teams to replace those who withdrew or folded.
It could be good news for Vauxhall Motors and Jersey Bulls, who already secured promotion. The Bulls (27) had been unbeaten in the league along with Stowmarket Town (28), Westfields (26), Risborough Rangers (23) and Littlehampton Town (22).
In England’s top 10 tiers, just five clubs were still unbeaten.
This evening it’s been confirmed that their campaigns have been ‘expunged’. pic.twitter.com/0lAg7sbGxH
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) April 9, 2020
Among those who were on course to go up were South Shields, Worthing, Maldon & Tiptree, Workington, 1874 Northwich, Ascot United and many more sides at steps further down.
The FA Council have confirmed that steps 3-7 are null & void.
In purely footballing terms, these are some of the clubs who have lost out… pic.twitter.com/G0faEk2v5V
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) April 9, 2020
Those who ‘benefitted’ from the null and void decision are Redditch United, Dorchester Town, Wantage Town, East Grinstead, Sawbridgeworth, Holmer Green, Loxwood, Athersley Recreation, East Hull and others, who were many points adrift from safety.
The FA Council have confirmed that steps 3-7 are null & void.
In purely footballing terms, these are some of the clubs who have benefited… pic.twitter.com/4TVarL362D
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) April 9, 2020
Fans reacted after seeing that more than 10 clubs withdrawn from their leagues…
Both Ollerton & Emley have submitted lateral transfers. One from the NCEL1 to the EMCL & the other from the NWCL1N to the NCEL1. There’s a space in the EMCL unless South Normanton Athletic are places there after resigning from the MFL Prem. Where does this leave Bury AFC and IOM?
— Brian Miller (@brianmiller216) April 10, 2020
It’s sad really how incompetent FA really are, since they expunged the season there is no PPG, no league table, no automatic promotions, so right now it looks like most of the leagues will miss club or two and i don’t see how can they “promote” someone since everyone is at 0 pts
— Muaz Veladžić (@veladzicfr) April 9, 2020
Totally agree. They haven’t thought it through.
— Andy Sharratt (@andysharratt) April 9, 2020
It’ll get even more messy when Step 1 & 2 decide to play out their seasons. Quite why you’d rubber stamp this decision when there are so many unknowns is beyond me.
— Tim Bullock (@piearce9) April 9, 2020
Don’t think the FA know what they are doing!
— gavvin (@gavjo1) April 9, 2020
?
— Dan Masters (@Dmasters1) April 9, 2020
How will they decide who to promote? PPG, a lucky dip perhaps..
The whole situation has been turned into a mess because of the FA’s usual level of ignorance & incompetence.— Stu rt H rley (@GullInExile) April 10, 2020

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