Nantwich Town Football Club: News May 2007
DABBERS PROMOTED TO UNIBOND DIVISION 1 (SOUTH) - 14/05/07
The meeting of the FA National League Systems Committee on May 14th have placed the following teams in Division 1 (South) for the 2007-2008 season.
- Alsager Town
- Belper Town
- Brigg Town
- Cammell Laird
- Carlton Town
- Colwyn Bay
- Goole
- Grantham Town
- Gresley Rovers
- Kidsgrove Athletic
- Nantwich Town
- Quorn
- Retford United
- Sheffield
- Shepshed Dynamo
- Spalding United
- Stocksbridge PS
- Warrington Town
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UNIBOND LEAGUE - PRESS STATEMENT 31/05/2007
At a special meeting held in Knutsford last night, the UniBond League member clubs agreed to support the recommendation of their Management Committee to accept the decision of the FA Leagues Committee for the League to operate with North and South Divisions each of 18 clubs for season 2007-2008.
The League have adopted a positive view to demonstrate their support of the development of the 1,2,3,6 structure but are now anxious to ensure that they progress to two Divisions of 20 clubs for season 2008-2009 and will be working with the Leagues Committee to achieve this common objective. Within the next few years the aim is for two Divisions of 22 clubs for parity with the Isthmian and Southern Leagues.
Brian Walden, the Chairman of the Leagues Committee, along with his fellow committee member Jack Pearce, attended the special meeting to answer questions. The main concerns expressed by clubs related to the progress to two Divisions of 20 clubs for season 2008-2009 and whilst no assurances could be given Mr Walden gave a firm indication that he expected this to be achieved. The matter of a league fixture programme of only 34 games within an 18 club Division was also a major cause of concern and this was discussed at length. In an effort to resolve the problem a vote was taken and the clubs overwhelmingly agreed to a 42 game league season which would be achieved by the addition of a further 8 matches (4 at home and 4 away). These additional fixtures are to be integrated into the fixture schedule when compiled prior to the start of the season. Mr Walden endorsed his support of this process and indicated he expected it would receive the approval of the Leagues Committee.
The following eleven clubs will now become members of one of the First Divisions for next season.
First Division North – Curzon Ashton, Garforth Town, FC United of Manchester, Lancaster City and Newcastle Blue Star.
First Division South - Carlton Town, Nantwich Town, Quorn, Retford United, Sheffield and Spalding United.
The decision “opens the door” for clubs eager to progress further through the Pyramid System with the introduction of the two UniBond League Regional Divisions mooting one of the main objectives of reducing travel.
PROMOTION (press release 7/05/2007)
Our ambition of achieving promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 of the National Non League Pyramid System has been realized and from season 2007 / 2008 we will compete as founder members of the newly created Midland Division of the Unibond League. Currently the plan is to have two Unibond League first divisions with a compliment of 18 clubs in each division. However, following a recent meeting of existing member clubs of the Unibond League, they have formally expressed dissatisfaction with the FA’s proposal of 18 member clubs in each of the new divisions citing loss of income as the major factor, and have urged the FA to at least consider an increase in the number of member clubs. Following that meeting Unibond officials have drawn up a list of demands to present to the FA in return for their cooperation over restructuring.
They want a written assurance from the FA that the two divisions, Midlands and North, will be increased to 20 clubs by the season 2008 / 2009.
They are also demanding that each of the divisions is increased to 22 clubs by season 2010 / 2011 at the latest.
The league is also asking the FA for permission to add a supplementary round-robin competition to provide each Unibond club with an extra eight games to make up for the loss of fixtures.
In a recent statement Unibond chief executive Duncan Bayley said: “ We have been as helpful as we can in setting up the new division, but we have to look after our future. In return for our cooperation we want a written assurance that the divisions will be extended to 20 clubs for next season”
FA Leagues manager Mike Appleby said: “ The Leagues Committee will discuss the Unibond demands in due course. Eighteen clubs is not ideal, but we need to get the divisions up and running, and install a proper promotion and relegation procedure”.
A final decision on the make- up of the two new divisions is set to be announced after the Leagues Committee’s next meeting on the 14th of May, when the final placings of applicants in their step 5 divisions is known.
In summary, despite a continuing air of uncertainty surrounding the final piece of restructuring at level 4, whatever the make-up of the new Unibond League first divisions it looks certain there will be no relegation next season with the possibility that it could extend into season 2008 / 2009. The constitution of the Unibond League will not be ratified until June but, upon receipt of the FA Leagues Committee’s decision over the make-up of member clubs it will be published on our website as soon as possible.>
Issued by Phil Johnson. Press Officer. Nantwich Town Football Club.