Club Allocations Finalised

At a meeting of the FA Leagues Committee held this morning, club allocations to Step 3 and 4 were finalised that resulted in the following implications for the Northern Premier League.

Ilkeston FC having been refused a licence to operate at Step 4 to where they had been relegated at the end of Season 2016/17, were removed from the Northern Premier League.

Goole AFC are reprieved to NPL Division 1 North and Frickley Athletic are moved to Division 1 South having been relegated from the Premier Division.

AFC Rushden and Diamonds are transferred to the Southern League and Rugby Town have been placed with the Midlands League. Both Burscough and Northwich Victoria will feature in the North West Counties League.

The Northern Premier League refused Ilkeston FC a licence following repeated breaches of the previously issued Conditional Licence applied last season.

The League is aware of the separate proceedings against Ilkeston FC heard yesterday (Monday 5 June) at Liverpool Crown Court, the outcome of which will determine the future of Ilkeston Football Club and the level at which it plays in the future.

The NPL shares the frustrations of clubs, officials and supporters of member clubs at the length of time taken in finalising club allocations. The League continues to press The Football Association to have in place more stringent deadlines in the future.

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