NEW LEAGUE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED
Following today’s meeting of the Leagues Committee, The FA have released the club allocations for Steps 1 to 4 of the National League System.
The line-up for next season's NPL First Division South is therefore expected to be as follows:
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Basford United
Bedworth United
Belper Town
Carlton Town
Chasetown
Gresley FC
Kidsgrove Athletic
Leek Town
Loughborough Dynamo
Market Drayton Town
Newcastle Town
Northwich Victoria
Romulus
Rugby Town
Sheffield FC
Shaw Lane
Spalding United
Stamford
Stocksbridge Park Steels
Witton Albion
The line-up sees the addition of two local-ish derbes for Blues with both Northwich Victoria and Witton Albion being transferred from the First Division North.
Interestingly after the success of such clubs as Shaw Lane and Basford United there are no promoted sides joining the division with the numbers being made up by AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Bedworth United who have transferred from the Southern League.
The final 'new' team are Stamford who were relegated from the Premier Division giving Blues fans the chance to visit their new stadium which they have moved into since the teams last met.
The line-up will be formally ratified at the NPL AGM in June with the league fixtures expected to be announced around Friday 15th July ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday 13th August.