The Evo-Stik league have announced via their Facebook page changes to the league structure which will take effect from the start of 2018/19 season. These changes also affect promotion and relegation at the end of this coming season (2017/18).

The statement is as follows:

For those who are unaware from the summer break, there is to be a extra division created at the Premier (Step 3) and First Divisions (step 4) for the 2018/19 season.This will alter the usual way that Promotions and Relegations will take place between the Evo-Stik Premier and the Evo-Stik North and South (which will also affect the other 2 Feeder Leagues and the 14 County Divisions (at Step 5) for the movements for this season. (The Shorter version is available in the comments)

The Formats will change as follows:

STEP 3 (The Evo-Stik Premier)
Promotion from the Evo-Stik Premier and the National Leagues will remain the same (1 Promoted as Champion, then a Playoff between 2nd through to 5th place) however only 1 team this season will be relegated to Step 4 for this season

STEP 4 (The Evo-Stik League North/South)
For the 2017-18 Season, as well as the Champion of each of the First Divisions, the Runners Up will also be promoted Automatically.

HOWEVER; The Third Place side with the best playing record in all 6 Leagues across the Country (The North and South Divisions with us, The Evostik League Southern Central and South & West and the Bostik [formally the Ryman League] North and South) on Points per Game record will be promoted as well (also known as the AGM Cup)

There will also be a Playoff in each of the 6 divisions on top of all this, meaning that overall there will be 19 teams promoted to Step 3.
6 as Champions from each of the 6 Step 4 Leagues,
6 as Runners Up,
6 playoff winners
and a Third Place side with the best playing record in the 6 Step 4 leagues

Again like the Premiers, only the teams finishing in Last Place will be relegated to Step 5

Any Issues that may occur with teams expulsions,withdrawals or other events, then the FA's League Management Committee will decide the outcome.
STEP 5 (Counties League)

As well as the usual format of the 14 Divisions (the leagues that normally affect us being the Northern League,North West Counties,Northern Counties East,Midlands League and United Counties), The Highest ranked side eligible for promotion (usually the Champions, but can be any side in the Top 3) from all 14 sides will be promoted as usual, along with the best 12 teams in the next eligible places across all the divisions will also be promoted.

If any team is unable to promote, then the next team along in the PPG table will take their spot, which will continue until all 26 spots are filled.
Again if there are not enough teams to fill spots due to off field issues, the FA will decide on which teams will take any vacant spots

The full format for the 2018/19 season onward are still under discussion and we cannot comment on the subject until further notice.

For more league information, follow the Evo-Stik League on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/evostikleague/ or visit their website http://www.evostikleague.co.uk