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Ilkeston are only likely to be moved to the Southern League if there are more than four teams wanting to go into the NPL Premier via promotion from step 4 and relegation from step 2 to replace the four relegated teams.
Relegated from National League North
At the moment there looks to be only one Northern team ie Darlington, likely to drop into the NPL . The other three teams likely to be relegated from the National League North are more likely the go into the Southern League ie Bishops Stortford, Gloucester and Banbury
Promoted from NPL West
There will be only one Northern team promoted to the NPL Premier from the NPL West because Leek look set to go up and they are likely to go into the Southern League
Promoted from NPL East
One Northern Team Stockton look set to go up and into the NPL Prem. There could be one other Northern team but there’s also a chance Belper or Carlton could go up and they could go into the Southern League.
Promoted from NPL Midlands
Whoever is promoted from this league are almost certain to be placed in the Southern League
So, as things stand at this present time, it looks likely there could only be four Northern teams looking to go into the NPL Premier (ie Darlington from National League North, Stockton from NPL East and two from NPL West to replace the four relegated teams - Therefore no need for any lateral movements.
But most teams still have about ten matches to play so the situation could change.
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Taking another look at the makeup of next season's NPL Premier Division
Looking at the 4 teams coming into the NPL Premier Division next season to replace the four relegated teams :
Of the 4 teams relegated from the National league North, Blyth Spartans are the only Northern based team. The 3 others (Banbury, Gloucester and Bishop’s Stortford are Southern based teams so will go into the Southern League)
Teams promoted from NPL East, West and Midlands:
There will definitely be two Northern based teams from NPL West
There will be only one Northern based team from NPL East as Champions Leek are likely to go into Southern League
None of the NPL Midlands teams likely to be promoted are Northern based
So next seasons NPL Premier Division should include :
1. Blyth Spartans (relegated from NPL North)
2. Hebburn Town (champions NPL East)
3. Winner of NPL West Playoffs ie either: Runcorn, Prescott, City of Liverpool,Bootle or Witton
4. Winner of NPL East Playoffs Ie either Stockton, Dunston, Pontefract, Carlton or Belper
I see no reason for Ilkeston to be moved from the Northen Premier
Last edited by Matchman (22/4/2024 8:07 AM)