Mike Avery

Non League Football

www.mikeavery.co.uk

 

Is it time for a new

Alliance Premier League

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Page published April 2010

This page is purely for interest. The FA probably wouldn't consider something this radical. But, in tough economic times, I have the excuse to show some 'fantasy' restructuring.

It is reasonable to consider that the original Alliance Premier League achieved it's aim; to create automatic promotion to the Football League.

Over 30 years ago, in 1979 the top clubs in the Northern Premier, Southern & Isthmian leagues created the original 'Alliance Premier League' unfortunately at the time, there was no proper 'pyramid' or structure in place below and certain geographical areas failed to be included. The Northern League decided not to participate.

Subsequently, all promotion to the Conference (as it became in 1987) has been though these three leagues, which has left areas of England without a practical route to promotion. In particular the North, the South West and East of England.

This idea for a NEW Alliance Premier League looks to address the geographical balance. By re-aligning some of the current step 4 and step 5 divisions to make a structure that is more inclusive than the current set up. A structure that offers all clubs, irrespective of where they are located the opportunity for promotion or relegation.

The structure:

At step 3 a brand new 4 division Alliance Premier League with Northern, Midland, Western & Southern Divisions.

At Step 4, 8 Leagues: Northern League, Northern Premier League, (new) Midland League, Eastern League, Western League, Southern League, Isthmian League & and a new South Eastern League.

At Step 5 would be the 16 regional 1st divisions of those 8 leagues.

Step 6 would have 32 Divisions with fixed boundaries (comprising 3 postcode areas* each)

Step 7 having 96 Divisions with fixed boundaries, 1 Division for each postcode area

Promotion and relegation suggestions are at the bottom of the page

These line ups are just for example only, and should only be considered as such. The teams used are purely for indicative purposes, they are not necessarily the teams that would make up any revised constitution and are used simply to show the general geographical spread of this type of structure:

 

Step 3 New Alliance Premier League
  Northern Division   Midland Division   Western Division   Southern Division  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  Ashton Utd 3 NPLPD   Banbury United 3 SLPD   Ashford Town (Mx) 3 ILPD   Aveley 3 ILPD  
  Bradford Park Avenue 3 NPLPD   Bedford Town 3 SLPD   Bashley 3 SLPD   Billericay Town 3 ILPD  
  Burscough 3 NPLPD   Belper Town 4 NPL1S   Bognor Regis Town 3 ILPD   Boreham Wood 3 ILPD  
  Buxton 3 NPLPD   Boston United 3 NPLPD   Bridgwater Town 4 SL1SW   Canvey Island 3 ILPD  
  Colwyn Bay 4 NPL1N   Brackley Town 3 SLPD   Burnham 4 SLD1M   Carshalton Athletic 3 ILPD  
  Curzon Ashton 4 NPL1N   Bury Town 4 SLD1M   Chippenham Town 3 SLPD   Concord Rangers 4 ILD1N  
  Durham City 3 NPLPD   Cambridge City 3 SLPD   Cirencester Town 4 SL1SW   Cray Wanderers 3 ILPD  
  Frickley Athletic 3 NPLPD   Evesham United 3 SLPD   Clevedon Town 3 SLPD   Croydon Athletic 4 ILD1S  
  Glapwell 4 NPL1S   Halesowen Town 3 SLPD   Didcot Town 3 SLPD   Dartford 3 ILPD  
  Guiseley 3 NPLPD   Hednesford Town 3 SLPD   Farnborough 3 SLPD   Enfield Town 4 ILD1N  
  Halifax Town 4 NPL1N   Hemel Hempstead Town 3 SLPD   Fleet Town 4 ILD1S   Folkestone Invicta 4 ILD1S  
  Kendal Town 3 NPLPD   Hitchin Town 4 SLD1M   Godalming Town 4 ILD1S   Hastings United 3 ILPD  
  Lancaster City 4 NPL1N   Hucknall Town 3 NPLPD   Harrow Borough 3 ILPD   Hendon 3 ILPD  
  Marine 3 NPLPD   Leamington 3 SLPD   Horsham 3 ILPD   Hornchurch 3 ILPD  
  Matlock Town 3 NPLPD   Lowestoft Town 4 ILD1N   Merthyr Tydfil 3 SLPD   Kingstonian 3 ILPD  
  North Ferriby United 3 NPLPD   Mickleover Sports 4 NPL1S   Slough Town 4 SLD1M   Maidstone United 3 ILPD  
  Ossett Town 3 NPLPD   Nantwich Town 3 NPLPD   Swindon Supermarine 3 SLPD   Margate 3 ILPD  
  Retford United 3 NPLPD   Nuneaton Town 3 SLPD   Tiverton Town 3 SLPD   Sutton United 3 ILPD  
  Sheffield 4 NPL1S   Oxford City 3 SLPD   Totton 4 SL1SW   Thamesmead Town 4 ILD1N  
  Stocksbridge Park Steels 3 NPLPD   Rugby Town 3 SLPD   Truro City 3 SLPD   Tonbridge Angels 3 ILPD  
  United of Manchester 3 NPLPD   Stourbridge 3 SLPD   Wealdstone 3 ILPD   Tooting & Mitcham United 3 ILPD  
  Whitby Town 3 NPLPD   Worksop Town 3 NPLPD   Windsor & Eton 4 SL1SW   Waltham Abbey 3 ILPD  
                         

 

 

These line ups are just for example only, and should only be considered as such. The teams used are purely for indicative purposes, to show the general geographical spread of this type of structure:
Step 4
  Northern League Premier Division   Northern Premier League Perimer Div   Midland League Premier Division   Eastern League Premier Division  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  Ashington NL 5   Bamber Bridge 4 NPL1N   Atherstone Town 4 SLD1M   Biggleswade Town 4 SLD1M  
  Bedlington Terriers NL 5   Brigg Town 4 NPL1S   Barwell MFA 5   CRC EAST 5  
  Billingham Synthonia NL 5   Cammell Laird 4 NPL1S   Bedworth United 4 SLD1M   Debenham LC EAST 5  
  Billingham Town NL 5   Chorley 4 NPL1N   Bromsgrove Rovers 4 SLD1M   Dereham Town EAST 5  
  Bishop Auckland NL 5   Clitheroe 4 NPL1N   Carlton Town 4 NPL1S   Ely City EAST 5  
  Chester Le Street Town NL 5   Fylde 4 NPL1N   Chasetown 4 NPL1S   Hadleigh United EAST 5  
  Consett NL 5   Garforth Town 4 NPL1N   Daventry Town UCL 5   Haverhill Rovers EAST 5  
  Dunston Federation NL 5   Goole 4 NPL1S   Grantham Town 4 NPL1S   Kirkley & Pakefield EAST 5  
  Esh Winning NL 5   Harrogate Railway Athletic 4 NPL1N   Kidsgrove Athletic 4 NPL1S   Leiston EAST 5  
  Horden CW NL 5   Leigh Genesis 4 NPL1N   Leek Town 4 NPL1S   Lincoln United 4 NPL1S  
  Morpeth Town NL 5   Mossley 4 NPL1N   Loughborough Dynamo 4 NPL1S   Mildenhall Town EAST 5  
  Newcastle Benfield NL 5   Ossett Albion 4 NPL1N   Market Drayton Town 4 NPL1S   Needham Market EAST 5  
  Norton & Stockton Ancients NL 5   Prescot Cables 4 NPL1N   Newcastle Town NWC 5   Newmarket Town EAST 5  
  Penrith Town NL 5   Radcliffe Borough 4 NPL1N   Quorn 4 NPL1S   Norwich United EAST 5  
  Ryton NL 5   Rossendale United 4 NPL1N   Rainworth Miners Welfare NCE 5   Soham Town Rangers 4 SLD1M  
  Shildon NL 5   Salford City 4 NPL1N   Romulus 4 SLD1M   Spalding United 4 NPL1S  
  South Shields NL 5   Skelmersdale United 4 NPL1N   Rothwell Town 4 SLD1M   Stamford 4 NPL1S  
  Spennymoor Town NL 5   Trafford 4 NPL1N   Rushall Olympic 4 NPL1S   Sudbury 4 SLD1M  
  Tow Law Town NL 5   Wakefield 4 NPL1N   Shepshed Dynamo 4 NPL1S   Walsham le Willows EAST 5  
  West Allotment Celtic NL 5   Warrington Town 4 NPL1N   Stourport Swifts 4 SLD1M   Wisbech Town EAST 5  
  West Auckland Town NL 5   Witton Albion 4 NPL1S   Sutton Coldfield Town 4 SLD1M   Woodbridge Town EAST 5  
  Whitley Bay NL 5   Woodley Sports 4 NPL1N   Woodford United 4 SLD1M   Wroxham EAST 5  
                         
  Western League Premier Division   Southern League Premier Division   Isthmian League Premier Division   South East League Premier Division  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  Almondsbury Town HELL 5   Abingdon Utd 4 SL1SW   Arlesey Town 4 SLD1M   Ashford Town 4 ILD1S  
  Barnstaple Town WEST 5   Andover 4 SL1SW   Brentwood Town 4 ILD1N   Burgess Hill Town 4 ILD1S  
  Bideford WEST 5   Barton Rovers 4 SLD1M   Burnham Ramblers ESSX 5   Chatham Town 4 ILD1S  
  Bishop Sutton WEST 5   Beaconsfield SYCOB 4 SLD1M   Cheshunt 4 ILD1N   Chipstead 4 ILD1S  
  Bitton WEST 5   Bedfont Green 4 SL1SW   East Thurrock United 4 ILD1N   Corinthian-Casuals 4 ILD1S  
  Brislington WEST 5   Bishops Cleeve 4 SL1SW   Felixstowe & Walton EAST 5   Dulwich Hamlet 4 ILD1S  
  Bristol Manor Farm WEST 5   Calne Town WEST 5   Great Wakering Rovers 4 ILD1N   Eastbourne Town 4 ILD1S  
  Cinderford Town 4 SL1SW   Chalfont St Peter SSM 5   Harwich & Parkeston EAST 5   Faversham Town KENT 5  
  Dawlish Town WEST 5   Chesham United 4 SLD1M   Hayes 4 SL1SW   Horsham YMCA 4 ILD1S  
  Hallen WEST 5   Corsham Town WEST 5   Heybridge Swifts 4 ILD1N   Leatherhead 4 ILD1S  
  Ilfracombe Town WEST 5   Frome Town 4 SL1SW   Ilford 4 ILD1N   Merstham 4 ILD1S  
  Longwell Green Sports WEST 5   Gosport Borough 4 SL1SW   Leyton 4 ILD1N   Metropolitan Police 4 ILD1S  
  Mangotsfield United 4 SL1SW   Hungerford Town 4 SL1SW   Maldon Town 4 ILD1N   Ramsgate 4 ILD1S  
  Paulton Rovers 4 SL1SW   Larkhall Athletic WEST 5   Northwood 4 ILD1N   Sittingbourne 4 ILD1S  
  Radstock Town WEST 5   Leighton Town 4 SLD1M   Potters Bar Town 4 ILD1N   Tilbury 4 ILD1N  
  Sherborne Town WEST 5   Marlow 4 SLD1M   Redbridge 4 ILD1N   VCD Athletic 4 ILD1N  
  Street WEST 5   Melksham Town WEST 5   Romford 4 ILD1N   Walton & Hersham 4 ILD1S  
  Taunton Town 4 SL1SW   North Leigh 4 SL1SW   Stanway Rovers EAST 5   Walton Casuals 4 ILD1S  
  Wellington (Somerset) WEST 5   Poole Town WSSX 5   Waltham Forest 4 ILD1N   Whitehawk SUSX 5  
  Welton Rovers WEST 5   Thatcham Town 4 SL1SW   Ware 4 ILD1N   Whitstable Town 4 ILD1S  
  Willand Rovers WEST 5   Uxbridge 4 SL1SW   Wingate & Finchley 4 ILD1N   Whyteleafe 4 ILD1S  
  Yate Town 4 SL1SW   VT 4 SL1SW   Wivenhoe Town EAST 5   Worthing 4 ILD1S  
                         

 

 

 

These line ups are just for example only, and should only be considered as such. The teams used are purely for indicative purposes, to show the general geographical spread of this type of structure:
Step 5
  Northern League D1 North   Northern League D1 South   Northern Premier League D1 West   Northern Premier League D1 East  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  Birtley Town NL 6   AFC Emley NCE1 6   Abbey Hey NWC 5   Armthorpe Welfare NCE 5  
  Brandon United NL 6   Bacup Borough NWC 5   Alsager Town NWC 5   Arnold Town NCE 5  
  Crook Town NL 6   Barnoldswick Town NWC 1 6   Ashton Athletic NWC 5   Bardon Hill Sports EMC 6  
  Darlington Royal Albert NL 6   Bridlington Town NCE 5   Atherton Collieries NWC 5   Blackstones UCL 5  
  Gillford Park NL 6   Brodsworth Welfare NCE 5   Atherton LR NWC 5   Boston Town UCL 5  
  Guisborough Town NL 6   Colne NWC 5   Biddulph Victoria MFA 5   Bourne Town UCL 5  
  Hebburn Town NL 6   Formby NWC 5   Congleton Town NWC 5   Coalville Town MFA 5  
  Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA NL 6   Hall Road Rangers NCE 5   Ellesmere Rangers WMRL 6   Deeping Rangers UCL 5  
  Marske United NL 6   Leeds Carnegie NCE1 6   Flixton NWC 5   Dinnington Town NCE 5  
  Newton Aycliffe NL 6   Liversedge NCE 5   Glossop North End NWC 5   Dunkirk EMC 6  
  North Shields NL 6   Nelson NWC 5   Hallam NCE 5   Fakenham Town EAST 6  
  Northallerton Town NL 6   Nostell Miners Welfare NCE 5   Heath Hayes MCP 6   Heather St John MCP 6  
  Seaham Red Star NL 6   Pickering Town NCE 5   Maine Road NWC 5   Holbeach United UCL 5  
  Stokesley SC NL 6   Ramsbottom United NWC 5   New Mills NWC 5   Lincoln Moorlands Railway NCE 5  
  Sunderland Ryhope CA NL 6   Scarborough Athletic NCE 5   Rocester MFA 5   Long Eaton United NCE 5  
  Team Northumbria NL 6   Selby Town NCE 5   Runcorn Linnets NWC 5   Loughborough University MFA 5  
  Thornaby NL 6   Silsden NWC 5   Shifnal Town MFA 5   Maltby Main NCE 5  
  Washington NL 6   Squires Gate NWC 5   St Helens Town NWC 5   Parkgate NCE 5  
  Whickham NL 6   Thackley NCE 5   Stone Dominoes NWC1 6   Shirebrook Town NCE 5  
  Whitehaven Amateurs NL 6   Winterton Rangers NCE 5   Winsford United NWC 5   Sleaford Town UCL 5  
                         
  Midland League D1 West   Midland League D1 East   Eastern League D1 West   Eastern League D1 East  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  AFC Wulfrunians WMRL 6   Ardley Utd HELL 5   Biggleswade United SSM 5   Brantham Athletic   EAST 6  
  Alvechurch MFA 5   Aylesbury SSM 5   Colney Heath SSM 5   Cornard United EAST 6  
  Boldmere St Michaels MFA 5   Aylesbury United 4 SLD1M   Crawley Green SSM1 6   Diss Town EAST 6  
  Bridgnorth Town MFA 5   Bicester Town HELL 5   Dunstable Town SSM 5   Downham Town EAST 6  
  Carterton HELL 5   Cogenhoe United UCL 5   Godmanchester Rovers EAST 6   FC Clacton EAST 6  
  Causeway United MFA 5   Daventry United UCL 5   Harlow Town 4 ILD1N   Gorleston EAST 6  
  Coleshill Town MFA 5   Desborough Town UCL 5   Hatfield Town SSM 5   Great Yarmouth Town EAST 6  
  Coventry Sphinx MFA 5   Friar Lane & Epworth MFA 5   Hertford Town SSM 5   Halstead Town EAST 6  
  Cradley Town MFA 5   Irchester United UCL1 6   Langford SSM 5   Ipswich Wanderers EAST 6  
  Highgate United MFA 5   Kirby Muxloe SC MFA 5   Leverstock Green SSM 5   Long Melford EAST 6  
  Hook Norton HELL 5   Long Buckby UCL 5   March Town United EAST 6   Saffron Walden Town EAST 6  
  Kidlington HELL 5   Newport Pagnell Town UCL 5   Peterborough Northern Star UCL1 6   Stansted ESSX 5  
  Malvern Town MFA 5   Northampton Spencer UCL 5   Royston Town SSM 5   Stowmarket Town EAST 6  
  Pegasus Juniors HELL 5   Oadby Town MFA 5   Sawbridgeworth Town ESSX 5   Swaffham Town EAST 6  
  Stratford Town MFA 5   Oxford City Nomads HELL 5   St Ives Town UCL 5   Takeley ESSX 5  
  Studley MFA 5   Raunds Town UCL 5   St Margaretsbury SSM 5   Team Bury EAST 6  
  Tipton Town MFA 5   Rothwell Corinthians UCL 5   St Neots Town UCL 5   Thetford Town EAST 6  
  Westfields MFA 5   Stewarts & Lloyds Corby UCL 5   Stotfold UCL 5   Tiptree United ESSX 5  
  Willenhall Town 4 NPL1S   Tring Athletic SSM 5   Welwyn Garden City SSM 5   Whitton United EAST 6  
  Witney United HELL 5   Wellingborough Town UCL 5   Yaxley UCL 5   Witham Town ESSX 5  
                         
  Western League D1 West   Western League D1 East   Southern League D1 North   Southern League D1 South  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  Bodmin Town SWP 6   Almondsbury UWE WL 6   Abingdon Town HELL 5   Bournemouth WSSX 5  
  Bovey Tracey SWP 6   Bradford Town WL 6   Alton Town WSSX 5   Brading Town WSSX 5  
  Buckland Athletic SWP 6   Bridport WL 6   Arlesford Town WSSX 5   Brockenhurst WSSX 5  
  Dartmouth SWP 6   Cadbury Heath WL 6   Badshot Lea CCL 5   Chichester City United SUSX 5  
  Elburton Villa SWP 6   Chard Town WL 6   Bemerton Heath Harlequins WSSX 5   Christchurch WSSX 5  
  Elmore WL 6   Clevedon United WL 6   Binfield HELL 5   Cowes Sports WSSX 5  
  Falmouth Town SWP 6   Clyst Rovers SWP 6   Camberley Town CCL 5   Fareham Town WSSX 5  
  Holsworthy SWP 6   Cullompton Rangers SWP 6   Cove CCL 5   Fawley WSSX 6  
  Ivybridge Town SWP 6   Gillingham Town WL 6   Devizes Town WL 6   Hamble ASSC WSSX 6  
  Launceston SWP 6   Hengrove Athletic WL 6   Fairford Town HELL 5   Hamworthy United WSSX 5  
  Liskeard Athletic SWP 6   Keynsham Town WL 6   Highworth Town HELL 5   Hayling United WSSX 5  
  Minehead WL 6   Malmesbury Victoria HELL 5   Laverstock & Ford WSSX 5   Horndean WSSX 5  
  Penzance SWP 6   Odd Down WL 6   Old Woodstock Town HELL 5   Lymington Town WSSX 5  
  Plymouth Parkway SWP 6   Oldland Abbotonians WL 6   Purton HELLW6   Moneyfields WSSX 5  
  Saltash United SWP 6   Portishead WL 6   Reading Town HELL 5   New Milton Town WSSX 5  
  St Blazey SWP 6   Roman Glass St George WL 6   Sandhurst Town CCL 5   Newport IoW WSSX 5  
  Tavistock SWP 6   Shepton Mallet WL 6   Shrewton United WL 6   Romsey Town WSSX 5  
  Torpoint Athletic SWP 6   Shortwood United HELL 5   Shrivenham HELL 5   Selsey SUSX 5  
  Wadebridge Town SWP 6   Wells City WL 6   Wantage Town HELL 5   Wimborne Town WSSX 5  
  Witheridge SWP 6   Westbury United WL 6   Wokingham & Emmbrook HELLE6   Winchester City WSSX 5  
                         
  Isthmian League D1 West   Isthmian League D1 East   South East League D1 West   South East League D1 East  
  Team From   Team From   Team From   Team From  
  Ascot United HELL 5   Barking ESSX 5   Arundel SUSX 5   Beckenham Town KENT 5  
  Bedfont CCL 5   Barkingside ESSX 5   Ash Utd CCL 5   Crawley Down SUSX 5  
  Bracknell Town 4 SL1SW   Basildon United ESSX 5   Banstead Athletic CCL 5   Crowborough Athletic SUSX 5  
  Colliers Wood United CCL 5   Bethnal Green United ESSX 5   Bookham CCL 5   Croydon CCL 5  
  Egham Town CCL 5   Bowers & Pitsea ESSX 5   Chertsey Town CCL 5   Deal Town KENT 5  
  Flackwell Heath HELL 5   Brimsdown Rovers SSM 5   Chessington & Hook CCL 5   East Grinstead Town SUSX 5  
  Hanwell Town SSM 5   Broxbourne Borough V&E SSM 5   Dorking CCL 5   Eastbourne United Assoc SUSX 5  
  Hanworth Villa CCL 5   Clapton ESSX 5   Epsom & Ewell CCL 5   Greenwich Borough KENT 5  
  Harefield United SSM 5   Enfield 1893 ESSX 5   Guildford City CCL 5   Hailsham Town SUSX 5  
  Hillingdon Borough SSM 5   Erith & Belvedere KENT 5   Hassocks SUSX 5   Herne Bay KENT 5  
  Holmer Green SSM1 6   Erith Town KENT 5   Horley Town CCL 5   Holmesdale KENT 5  
  Kentish Town SSM 5   Eton Manor ESSX 5   Loxwood SCD2 6   Hythe Town KENT 5  
  Kingsbury London Tigers SSM 5   Fisher FC KENT 5   Mile Oak SUSX 5   Lingfield SUSX 5  
  Marlow United HELL 5   Haringey Borough SSM 5   Pagham SUSX 5   Lordswood KENT 5  
  Molesey CCL 5   Hullbridge Sports ESSX 5   Redhill SUSX 5   Norton Sports KENT 5  
  North Greenford United CCL 5   London APSA ESSX 5   Shoreham SUSX 5   Peacehaven & Telscombe SUSX 5  
  Oxhey Jets SSM 5   Mauritius Sports ESSX 5   St Francis Rangers SUSX 5   Ringmer SUSX 5  
  Raynes Park Vale CCL 5   Slade Green KENT 5   Three Bridges SUSX 5   Rye United SCD2 6  
  Staines Lammas CCL 6   Southend Manor ESSX 5   Wick SUSX 5   Sevenoaks Town KENT 5  
  Wembley CCL 5   Sporting Bengal United KENT 5   Worcester Park CCL 6   Tunbridge Wells KENT 5  
                         

 

 

Step 6

Fixed Boundaries

Please note, Postcode area sets could be joined in many different ways, this is purely a suggestion of one of many possibilities

 

Step 7

Fixed Boundaries

Allocations at step 2, 3, 4 & 5 are ordered by Latitude & longitude coordinates. Each division having flexible boundaries, and teams allocated by co-ordinated rather than committees.

Promotion & Relegation

Step 1: As at present

Step 2: Promotion Champions + Play off winner, 4 teams relegated

Step 3: Promotion Champions + Play off winner, 4 teams relegated

Step 4: Promotion Champions + Play off winner, 4 teams relegated

Step 5: Promotion Champions + Play off winner, 2 teams relegated

Step 6: Promotion Champions. Relegation dependant on maintaining fixed boundaries.

Step 7: Promotion Champions. Relegation dependant on maintaining fixed boundaries.

Step 8 and below: A continuation of fixed boundary leagues, postcodes could be split further to reduce travelling further down.

*Some parts of England have Postcodes associated with Scotland and Wales, these teams would join the nearest appropriate postcode league.

Links to 2009-10 maps.

 Prem & Lge   Steps 1 & 2   Steps 3 & 4   Step 5   Step 6  Step 7

 

These maps are only for fun and based only on personal guesses. The actual constitutions will be agreed by the FA and the various League at the AGMs in June 2010. No value should be given to the content and no liability is taken what so ever. The Maps will be updated on a random basis to reflect the latest league positions.

© MGA 2005-2009 (Information from this site may be used elsewhere if acknowledgement is given to www.mikeavery.co.uk) The maps will be restricted by additional copyright(s)