Traditional playoffs to be introduced to Step 5 of non league from 23/24, replacing current system

Traditional playoffs are to be introduced to Step 5 of non league from 23/24, replacing the current playoff system, confirms the FA.

The Football Association announced via The Non League Football Paper, that there will be four team play-offs in all Step 5 divisions starting next season. These will replace the Inter-Step playoffs. FA Council approval is required.

It will ensure that two clubs from each of the sixteen divisions at Step 5 level are promoted to Step 4 each season – one as champion, and another through the playoffs.

BREAKING: FA reveal Step 5 divisions set for traditional four-team play-offs from next season

“These changes reflect a long-term aim of The FA to create consistency at each Step level of the NLS pyramid.”

Full story👇https://t.co/oPPVtxxRZb

— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) March 17, 2023

Two clubs from each of eight Step 4 Divisions will go down at the end of the 2023-24 seasons in order to increase the league size to 22 clubs with each Step 5 division having one relegation place.

In 2024-25, four teams from each Step 4 division will be relegated, while Step 5 will return to two relegation spots.

In 2022/23, Inter-Step playoffs was brought in, which saw teams who finished third or fourth bottom at Step 4 level were at risk of being relegated through one-off winners-take-all fixtures against Step 5 runners-up.

An FA statement read: “Subject to FA Council approval, the Inter-Step Play-Offs currently in place at Steps 4 and 5 of the National League System (NLS) are to be replaced after the 2022/23 season.

“The change will see the introduction of a traditional four-team Play-Off in each of the sixteen Step 5 divisions – thus guaranteeing a second promotion place from Step 5 to Step 4, subject to Clubs meeting the eligibility criteria which includes an independent ground grading assessment.

“At the end of the 2023/24 season, this will mean that an additional 16 Clubs will be guaranteed promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 (32 Clubs in total), with the number of Clubs automatically relegated from each of the eight Step 4 divisions to remain as two in order to increase the divisional size at Step 4 to 22 Clubs per division. The resulting 16 vacancies at Step 5 will be filled by only relegating one Club per Step 5 division, as opposed to two.

“From the 2024/25 season, it is intended that the number of Clubs automatically relegated from each of the eight Step 4 divisions to Step 5 will increase from two to four, two Clubs from each of the sixteen Step 5 divisions will continue to be promoted to Step 4 (one automatic and one via the Play-Off) and the number of clubs automatically relegated from each Step 5 division will revert to two.

“These changes reflect a long-term aim of The FA to create consistency at each Step level of the NLS pyramid.”

SUMMARY

– 4-team playoffs at Step 5 from next season

– Step 4 will be increased to 22 clubs

– Just 2 clubs relegated per Step 4 division & 1 club per Step 5 division for 2023/24

– 4 clubs relegated per Step 4 division from 2024/25

There was plenty of reaction on the announcement that traditional playoffs are to be introduced to Step 5 of non league from 23/24, replacing the current system…

@DavenLots: Not sure on this. Great ‘reward’ for some teams but others finishing 4th /5th may not be ready for step4 & the financial aspects promotion brings. May have missed it but be interested if promotion/play off be refused? Noting relegation for those not accepting promotion recently.

@EmilKot: Great decision! Well done!

@northdevonargo: Excellent news for bideford

@Daniel_C1987: Great plan

@DomWelsh3: About time 😂

@CW_Wells_2000: This is very welcome news.

@JGGoalkeeping: Good to see a standard set up across the pyramid – let’s just hope all those clubs In the playoffs have the proper ground grading in place 😂

@ChazSmudge: Long time coming but great news for Step 5, the greatest step in football.

@blundenm8: About time 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

@trevk37: Absolutely the right decision that 👏👏👏👏👏

@SecBiggleswadeU: Absolutely makes sense. Step 5 only step that doesn’t have play-offs. At last!!

@fcislocheng: This should be standard for ALL divisions. The National League should absolutely do this.

@chriswoollcott: Play offs at Step 5 – about time too 👏🏼

@foreveryellow: hugely welcome news for clubs, it’s staff and players at those levels, much needed