Promotion Rules

[MancMagpie]

So we're currently sat in 7th which looks like it's the last playoff spot. There's a dotted line underneath 1st place, a dotted line under 2nd-3rd places then another from 4th-7th. Is this something new for this season or is it because of Bury? How may teams go up? What are the rules? Obviously dotted line under 1st is automatic.

Also, something that's always confused me about the national league. If 4 teams go down and 2 come up from the National League North and 2 from National League South....what happens if all 4 relegated teams are in the North of England?

[Elite_Pie]

So we're currently sat in 7th which looks like it's the last playoff spot. There's a dotted line underneath 1st place, a dotted line under 2nd-3rd places then another from 4th-7th. Is this something new for this season or is it because of Bury? How may teams go up? What are the rules? Obviously dotted line under 1st is automatic.

In the preliminary play off games team 4 play at home to team 7, and 5 at home to 6. The winners of those games then play away in the semis to teams 2 and 3. All of these are one-off games, there are no return legs. The winners of the semi-finals then meet at Wembley for the right to go up to League 2.

[magpie_mania]

So we're currently sat in 7th which looks like it's the last playoff spot. There's a dotted line underneath 1st place, a dotted line under 2nd-3rd places then another from 4th-7th. Is this something new for this season or is it because of Bury? How may teams go up? What are the rules? Obviously dotted line under 1st is automatic.

Also, something that's always confused me about the national league. If 4 teams go down and 2 come up from the National League North and 2 from National League South....what happens if all 4 relegated teams are in the North of England?

For the second part, I would assume that they would go with the teams in National North, and the two most southernly would then be moved to National South. At least that is how it works a couple of steps down. An example is that AFC Rushden & Diamonds played in the Southern League but then they were put into the Northern Premier for one season then back into the Southern League.

[LEPiePie]

Lateral movements.
If all the teams relegated are in one area the FA adjusts the "border" of the North/South split.
Generally means the Midlands and East can be moved north or south depending on those coming down.

[DomdomPie]

Lateral movements.
If all the teams relegated are in one area the FA adjusts the "border" of the North/South split.
Generally means the Midlands and East can be moved north or south depending on those coming down.

This. Teams in non-league can be moved backwards and forwards between leagues to make up the numbers and I imagine it gets quite frustrating not knowing where you'll be playing each season.

Nothing compared to the frustrations when they rejig the league formats and teams win promotion only to find themselves back in the same league again (happened to Heybridge Swifts this year in the Isthmian North).

[Glad2BeAPie]

Automatic is where we've got to be then to save any confusion, and we've got a squad with depth to have a right go at it

[magpie_mania]

Automatic is where we've got to be then to save any confusion, and we've got a squad with depth to have a right go at it

What confusion? It's very clear regarding the play-offs.

[BanjoPie]

What confusion? It's very clear regarding the play-offs.

So you understand it - then please enlighten us

[navypie]

In the preliminary play off games team 4 play at home to team 7, and 5 at home to 6. The winners of those games then play away in the semis to teams 2 and 3. All of these are one-off games, there are no return legs. The winners of the semi-finals then meet at Wembley for the right to go up to League 2.

So you understand it - then please enlighten us

It's hardly rocket science.

[Elite_Pie]

So you understand it - then please enlighten us

You've already been enlightened, what part don't you understand?