THE NON-LEAGUE PYRAMID

The structure of football in England is one the Football Association are committed to streamline for the benefit of all concerned.

The Pyramid is in the process of being re-structured, with the first phase now in place at the higher levels of non-league, the levels that surround Chelmsford City.

At the end of the 2003/04 season, the Clarets were effectively 'relegated', with new Conference North and South Divisions being introduced under the existing Conference while City remained on a par with the Northern, Southern and Isthmian Premier Divisions. The aim for Craig Edwards' squad this season is to climb up a level into the Conference South to re-join many of the teams who left Chelmsford behind.

The first phase of the revamp gave the top end of the non-league game more of a pyramid appearance, with a 1-2-3-4 formation. The F.A. intend to further review the structure lower down in order to modernise the system.

Nationwide Conference National
Nationwide Conference North					Nationwide Conference South
Unibond Northern League Premier Division			Southern League Premier Division				Ryman Isthmian League Premier Division
Unibond Northern League Division One		Southern League Western Division			Southern League Western Division			Ryman Isthmian League Division One
Ryman Isthmian League Division Two	Spartan South Midlands Premier Division			C.R.R. Combined Counties League Premier Division		Westview Essex Senior League			Gladwish Land Sales Hellenic League Premier Division
Harvey World Travel Midland Alliance League	Sydenham Wessex League Division One			Toolstation Western League Premier Division		Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Premier Division			Kentish Observer Kent League
Badger Ales Sussex County League Division One	Eagle Bitter United Counties  League Premier Division			Northern Counties East League Premier Division		Arngrove Northern League Division One			M.C.S. North West Counties League Division One

These fifteen Leagues at Step Five of the Pyramid operate on a nomination basis for promotion to the four divisions above. It is expected the Football Association will attempt to reform this system in coming years.

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