Joint Statement - Midland Football League and North West Counties League

It has become increasingly apparent over the last few seasons, that the fluid geographical boundaries that define the borders between various leagues are starting to cause concerns for Leagues, Clubs, Players and Supporters alike.

For nearly a decade now The FA have been trying to create the perfect non-league pyramid with a structure that rationalises the expectations for clubs to enter, and then progress, through the National League System. 

This season, the North West Counties League continues to operate with 24 teams in its Step 5 Division, with its Most Southerly members in line with the path of the River Mersey.  We have recently seen Clubs such as Northwich Victoria and Winsford United migrate over to the Midland Football League Premier Division. Clubs such as South Liverpool and City of Liverpool recently were provisionally allocated to the Midland League but, with last minute reprieves, have subsequently left the NWCFL top heavy with member Clubs and the Midland Football League with 18 members.

At Step 6, The NWCFL has clubs on the Wirral Peninsula travelling to places such as Wolverhampton, Telford and Wellington.  Places of which should be synonymous with the Midland Football League.

With resource management, a key part of the operations of the Midland Football League and the NWCFL, we are seeing our Clubs travelling further, we are seeing Clubs, who are appealing every season against their placement in various leagues, struggling financially to keep up with travel requirements and disengagement with Players and local fan bases.  Local derbies are being reduced and as such clubs are seeing evolution with their traditional support being affected.

We are seeing memberships evolve around big cities with clusters of clubs in 10 mile radius’ and regional and provincial clubs becoming more and more in the minority.  With predictions for future club allocations at both Steps Five and Six further clouding over operational areas and with Match Official arrangements already becoming increasingly difficult to source and manage, we feel that the time is right for discussions with The Football Association to talk openly with Leagues about the current and future issues.  Discussions that aren’t limited by a marginalised agenda and discussions that address logistical concerns.

Is a Perfect Pyramid the perfect shape for the National League System? Maybe, maybe not. There is a great case for it by way of a symmetrical shape, but our memberships are not always conveniently located.  There are clubs such as Kendal Town, Carlisle City and Penrith, all heading over to the North East every weekend.  If matters were addressed by simple geographical branding, why would North West Clubs be playing in the North East and this is what we at the NWCFL and Midlands League have been talking about.

In recent discussions between NWCFL Chairman Chris Stirrup and Midland Football League Chairman, Mike Joiner, it has become apparent that both leagues are finding the same operational frustrations regarding Club allocations. 

NWCFL Chairman Chris Stirrup is calling for an exploratory set of talks to take place, stating that “Following recent dialogue with our friends and Counterparts at the Midland Football League, it has become apparent that we are both having the same concerns regarding Club allocations and the knock-on effect that this is having.  Regionally, it is apparent that our respective Steps Five and Six Divisions are covering each other’s area.  We have a situation where in the NWCFL, any team promoted from our Step Six First Division South Division will now go into the Midland Football League Step Five Division, whilst Clubs relegated from the Midland League Step Five could end up playing as far away Runcorn.”

“We have a similar issue at the Northern lying regions of our Step 5 Division, with Clubs being placed into the Northern Leagues.  All of these placements need transport, need match officials, need Players and need Supporters.  Mike Joiner and I would be interested in speaking with other leagues about the effect that club migrations are having on their operations as well as speaking with The FA about how we can support them in finding a more suitable and sustainable way of integrating new clubs into the NLS whilst providing the best possible support, logistics and development opportunities for existing clubs. If the FA is truly For All, then we want to make that happen” 

Mike Joiner, Chairman of the Midland Football League added “In addition to our concerns regarding the current boundaries between the Midland Football League and the North West Counties League, we also have the same concerns regarding movement of clubs between ourselves and both the United Counties League and The Hellenic League. This is also having a detrimental effect on progressive clubs at Step 7 and below, who are unable to effectively plan for their future, when they do not have any guarantees as to which Step 6 Division they will be allocated to. Over the past few years, the FA have spoken on numerous occasions about the sustainability of Clubs at all levels. The current policy of moving clubs each season between leagues, with the extra costs incurred, which they can ill-afford, does not aid the sustainability of clubs towards the bottom of the pyramid.

This is all about opening a dialogue and discussion to continue to support one of the most open and competitive Non-League Systems in word football.  We want to ensure that all clubs have a chance to keep their operational costs down whilst retaining their regional identities.  We want to ensure that Match officials don’t travel wide and varied distances. We want to ensure Players don’t give up on the game due to travelling or lack of games and also, for Supporters to go along and not have to change generational allegiances because a traditional derby opponent has been changed by Administration rather than Competitive football.