Yes, you read the headline right, relegation playoffs are being introduced to non league from the 2019/20 season.
Ollie Bayliss, a Football Commentator, Journalist and Presenter of The Non-League Show on BBC Three Counties, revealed the news on his Twitter along with pictures stating the steps that will have them and how it will work.
It reads:
“Step 4 and Step 5. The Clubs finishing in last place in each of the seven divisions at Step 4 at the end of the Regular Season will take part in Step 4/5 Play Off matches against a Step 5 Club. A total of 24 Clubs will be automatically promoted to Step 4.
“These Clubs will be:
Combined Counties League – Champion Club
Eastern Counties League – Champion Club
Essex Senior League – Champion Club
Hellenic League – Champion Club
Midland League – Champion Club
North West Counties League – Champion Club, 2nd and 3rd placed Clubs
Northern League – Champion Club, 2nd and 3rd placed Clubs
Northern Counties East – Champion Club, 2nd and 3rd placed Clubs
Southern Counties East – Champion Club
Spartan South Midlands – Champion Club
Southern Combination – Champion Club
United Counties League – Champion Club
Wessex League – Champion Club
Western League – Champion Club”
It continued: “In addition to the above, the remaining second placed Clubs will be ranked on points per game (then goal difference, then goals scored if required) with the four highest placed Clubs also receiving automatic promotion.
“The remaining seven second placed Clubs will take part in the Step 4/5 Play Off matches on a single match basis at the ground of the Step 4 Club they are drawn against. Where possible, the draw for the Play Off matches will be regionalised. The winners of these Step 4/5 Play Off matches will be allocated to Step 4.
“The Clubs to be promoted from Step 5 will be allocated to the most geographically appropriate division at Step 4.
“A Club promoted to Step 4 shall comply with the Licencing System provision as set out in Appendix 1 to the Standardised Rules.
“Step 5 and Step 6. The Clubs in the bottom place in each of the fourteen divisions at Step 5 at the end of the Regular Season will be ranked on a points per match basis (then goal difference, then goals scored if required) – the twelve lowest will be relegated and placed in the most geographically appropriate division of Step 6. These Clubs will be replaced by the Clubs in first and second position of the two divisions operated by the South West Peninsula League and the Clubs placed in first, second, third and fourth positions in the remaining eighteen Leagues at Step 6 at the end of the Regular Season.”
Relegation Playoffs are being used in #NonLeague next season!
Would you like to see them used higher up the pyramid in England? pic.twitter.com/UgDybL5MNa
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) June 20, 2019
Social media user @leonosullivan reminded fans: Worth pointing out, for the many who evidently don’t know, that this is only for next season, and it’s in order to get the right number of clubs at each step of the new ‘proper’ pyramid for 2020/21.
After learning this, fans took to reaction on it and respond to Ollie Bayliss’ question about using it higher up the pyramid – read what they wrote on the next page.
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