The non-league re-shuffle: What does it all mean in Thurrock?

A review of the third and fourth steps of the non-league football system has been conducted, in a bid to improve geographical anomalies, cut down on travelling costs and encourage more step 5 clubs to climb the pyramid.

Nick Robinson is the chairman of the Isthmian League and has been involved with the league since 1982.

And he now has to contend with changes to the third and fourth steps of the non-league pyramid, with another division introduced at each level for the start of the 2018/19 season.

However, our clubs will be affected next season with just one team to be relegated from the Isthmian Premier League and Northern divisions, as opposed to four and three teams respectively.

There will also be two teams automatically promoted from the Isthmian North, with a third going up via the play-offs.

And Robinson said he is excited at what lies ahead.

“This is good news for football,” he said.

“What we are trying to do is cut down on the amount of travelling and cut down the number of games.

“Look at the Isthmian Northern and Southern leagues. Currently there are 24 clubs and they play 46 games over the course of the season.

“That is too many. If we cut it down to 38 games with four divisions of 20 teams, it is less commitment for each side and will encourage players and coaches to get involved.

“There will be less midweek games and they are the ones that aren’t as well attended.”

Step 3 will move from three divisions of 24 teams to four divisions of 22 come the start of 2018/19 – with the new division controlled by the Southern League.

With just one team relegated from each of the Isthmian Premier, Southern Premier League and Northern Premier League, it means 19 spaces will be available for teams looking for promotion to Step 3.

Two automatic promotions from each of the six divisions at Step 4, plus one through each of the play-offs will see 18 teams promoted.

While the best third-placed club across the tier will secure the final spot on a points per game basis.

That means the make-up of Step 4 will go from two divisions of 24 and four of 22 to seven divisions comprising 20 teams.

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NATIONAL LEAGUES - WHAT IS CHANGING?

Winners - East Thurrock United won promotion to the National League via the play-offs in 2016

THE National League will also undergo a shake-up next season after league bosses passed a vote to rejig the top two tiers’ play-off structure.

National League and National League North and South sides will now see six teams involved in the play-off mix.

The champions will go up, while second and third placed sides will automatically be handed home semi-final draws in the play-offs.

Those finishing in fourth and fifth will host seventh and sixth respectively in one-legged ties before the winners travel to second and third for a one-legged semi-final.

The winner will play at the home ground of whichever team placed higher in the division, with the final of the National League showpiece to be held at Wembley.

East Thurrock threw their weight behind the proposals.

Rocks boss John Coventry said the club voted in favour, although he admitted he did have his reservations.

“I can understand why the changes have been made,” he said.

“It is great if you are seventh as it keeps the season alive and more teams may be in the hunt in the closing weeks. But if, somehow, the team that finished seventh was to win and be in the National League it just doesn’t seem right.

“All you need to do is win a one off game and I am not sure if that is fair against a team that finished second or third.

“Where does it stop? Will it be at the stage where you are in the play-offs or relegated?”

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POOLE AND SPILLANE AMONG THOSE WHO BACK THE PLANS

Positive - Glenn Poole, centre Picture: SUSAN WATTS

EXPERIENCED midfielder Glenn Poole believes the restructuring of the non-league football pyramid is a good long-term move.

Poole was part of the Thurrock side that won promotion to the Isthmian Premier League after a 1-0 win over Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian North play-off final.

Following the revamp, only one side will be relegated from the Isthmian Premier League.

And Poole, who will play a key role in Fleet’s side next season, believes the changes will prove to be successful.

Poole said: “I understand the changes that have been made and I think it is good for the long-term.

“I know a lot of players actually want there to be no relegation places at all, but I think that takes a part of the value of football out of it.

“The change still means that you have to play for not finishing bottom.

“It’s a good thing for us, as a new club coming into the division, because it means that there is less pressure on us.

“In that respect it is good and each team will be going into the season now knowing that they just have to be better than one team to make sure they stay up.”

Aveley will be competing in the Isthmian North once again after narrowly missing out on a play-off place last term.

The changes to the structure of the leagues means that one more promotion place is available.

And, like Poole, Millers manager Terry Spillane is a fan of the alterations that have been made.

But despite the increased chances of winning promotion, Spillane is aware that the Isthmian North will be a difficult league to get out of.

Spillane said: “I think the changes make sense because it now means that the teams that should be in the south leagues are and the same goes for the teams in the north leagues.

“Looking at it and the teams that have come into the division, it will be an even tougher division to get out of.

“My former club Maldon & Tiptree will be one of the favourites to go up, along with Canvey Island and AFC Hornchurch.

“We will do our best and look to make the play-offs but we know that it will not be easy despite the changes that have been made.

“Unfortunately, we came up a little short last season but the play-offs will be the aim this season.

“The new ground won’t give us an advantage to start with but it will over time and we can make the play-offs.”