CONFERENCE: INCREASED PROMOTION TO THE NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE
Great news for Conference fans... the Nationwide Conference will be extended to incorporate 24 clubs from the beginning of the 2006/07 season.
Football Conference chief executive John Moules explains the thinking behind the decision:
'At their mid-season meeting, the 66 Club Chairman overwhelmingly voted in favour of increasing Promotion and Relegation between the Nationwide Conference and Nationwide North and Nationwide South.
'The proposal, which was unanimously recommended to Member Clubs by the Conference Board of Directors, received the full backing from clubs.
'The Conference will now seek the approval of the Football Associations Sanctions and Registrations Committee, who meet in mid February for implementation from season 2005/2006, having submitted the necessary rule amendments by the due date.
'The implementation of the increased Promotion and Relegation will operate as follows:
'In season 2005/2006, the Nationwide Conference will continue to operate as a 22 Club Competition but at the end of the season will relegate two clubs to Nationwide North and South (one to each competition) while promoting four clubs from Nationwide North and Nationwide South (two from each competition). This will allow the Nationwide Conference to move to a 24 Club Competition from the commencement of season 2006/2007.
'The Nationwide Conference moving to 24 clubs in season 2006/2007 is to allow for the increase in promotion and relegation.
'The Conference will continue to seek an increase in promotion with the Football League from its current two up, two down to three up, three down in line with the league's own policy between League Two, League One and the Championship, and between the Championship and the Premier League.
'The new structure, if sanctioned by The FA, will once again increase promotion and relegation opportunities for ambitious and successful clubs in the national game.'
Click here to read the Football Conference's press release on the matter
