NPL secures third promotion spot

21 Apr 2018 By David Watters

The EVO-STIK North news

The champagne is on ice for South Shields until they can confirm a third consecutive title but Hyde United and Scarbrough Athletic are celebrating promotion to the EVO-STIK League's top flight next season thanks to the reorganisation of Non-League.

Thanks to the creation of the new Midlands Divisions next season and subject to confirmation by the Football Association next weekend, the Seadogs in second spot in EVO-STIK League North and Hyde United in third are now assured of promotion with the top two plus the side with the best points per game average at Step 4 automatically going up.

Wins for the Tigers at Mossley and the Seadogs at Colne ensured they'll finish the 2017-18 season with unassailable points per game leads to the bonus spot and avoid entering into May's 'super play-offs'.

To create the new Midlands Divisions at Step 3 and Step 4 for the 2017-18 campaign and beyond, 19 clubs are being promoted, six champions and their runners-ups plus six play-offs winners from the clubs finishing third fourth, fifth and sixth.

Thanks to the points per game average of the two clubs, the seventh placed side in EVO-STIK North, currently Colwyn Bay, will also get a shot at promotion under the rules brought in for this season only.

Image courtesy of @hydeunited/Twitter

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Where next?

Saturday's South Division action review There are still several issues to be settled in the EVO-STIK League South heading into the final week of the season following Saturday`s round of fixtures, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Saturday's Premier Division action review Altrincham secured the EVO-STIK League Premier title on Saturday and promotion back to the Vanarama National League North after just one season following a 2-0 win at play-off chasing Grantham Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.