Time for an update on this.
The Midlands League idea I proposed a while back has had support elsewhere by others who've proposed the same thing but the main sticking point (and this is from someone at the FA) is getting enough clubs to fill it.
So a few months back, I came up with another idea that maintained the existing Northern/Southern/Isthmian setup but saw three divisions feeding each league rather than two, potentially reducing the issue regarding certain parts of the country being under-represented in the higher tiers of the non-league pyramid.
After further research, I found a very similar proposal, which takes the three feeders idea and applies it to the whole non-league pyramid (effectively cutting out Conference North/South, which I've advocated all along) and giving us a new non-league structure of 1-3-9-27, compared to the existing 1-2-3-6-14-17, giving us increased regionalisation at every tier below the Conference Premier.
The people who came up with that proposal (seemingly connected to Epsom & Ewell FC) have a web site with all the details. It's a bit difficult to follow in places but I eventually managed to get my head around it all. The link is below, though be aware that because of the format used for the pages, I had trouble opening the pages in anything other than Internet Explorer (opening a page in Firefox resulted in a repeated loop of opening windows!!)
www.eefconline.co.uk/base15.htmlI have to give credit where it's due as what I'm posting below is effectively a combination of two similar ideas - mine and the one I've linked to.
So the Conference Premier remains the same and still has 24 teams. The Conference North/South is ditched and step 3 moves up and becomes step 2, with the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Premier divisions. Each of those is fed by three divisions, rather than two and each feeder has three feeders.
I'm usually not an advocate of playoffs below the professional ranks, but in this scenario it makes sense, otherwise there would only be one promotion place per division, so this system sees teams finishing below the winners taking place in playoffs along with teams finishing above the automatic relegation positions.
Many of the teams in the new third tier are effectively playing in the same league as before but with reduced travel times and one tier higher than they were before. Where vacancies exist, teams are taken from lower divisions to make up the numbers, based on current league positions.
Some of the borders may overlap slightly, especially as my geographical knowledge of the south isn't amazing. Also, the division names would need some work but those listed below at least give an idea of how they've been separated in relation to each other. The site in the above link has rather imaginatively come up with some fancy geographical names for each division but might be confusing for anyone who doesn't live there (and probably a few who do live there in some cases). I've also decided to go with 20 clubs across the board for all divisions at what would now be 7th and 8th tiers.
So this is the potential division line-up, based on current league positions. These line-ups don't take into account ground gradings.
LEVEL 1PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal, Aston Villa, AFC Bournemouth, Burnley, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United
LEVEL 2CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic, Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Leicester City, Milton Keynes Dons, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon Town, Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers
LEVEL 3LEAGUE ONE: Barnsley, Blackpool, Bradford City, Burton Albion, Chesterfield, Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers, Fleetwood Town, Gillingham, Luton Town, Millwall, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United, Port Vale, Preston North End, Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United, Shrewsbury Town, Walsall, Wigan Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers
LEVEL 4LEAGUE TWO: Accrington Stanley, Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Bury, Cambridge United, Carlisle United, Cheltenham Town, Colchester United, Crawley Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Leyton Orient, Morecambe, Newport County, Northampton Town, Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth, Southend United, Stevenage, Tranmere Rovers, Wimbledon, Yeovil Town, York City
LEVEL 5CONFERENCE: Aldershot Town, Altrincham, Barrow, Boreham Wood, Braintree Town, Bromley, Chester, Dover Athletic, Eastleigh, Forest Green Rovers, Fylde, Gateshead, Grimsby Town, Halifax Town, Hartlepool United, Kidderminster Harriers, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Mansfield Town, Southport, Torquay United, Welling United, Woking, Wrexham
LEVEL 6NORTHERN PREMIER PREMIER: Alfreton Town, Ashton United, Boston United, Bradford Park Avenue, Buxton, Chorley, Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton, FC United of Manchester, Gainsborough Trinity, Grantham Town, Guiseley, Harrogate Town, Hednesford United, Hyde, Ilkeston, North Ferriby United, Nuneaton Town, Skelmersdale United, Stalybridge Celtic, Stockport County, Tamworth, Telford United, Workington
SOUTHERN PREMIER: Barwell, Basingstoke Town, Bath City, Brackley Town, Farnborough, Gloucester City, Gosport Borough, Halesowen Town, Havant & Waterlooville, Hayes & Yeading United, Hungerford Town, Leamington, Maidenhead United, Oxford City, Poole Town, Redditch United, Rushall Olympic, Solihull Moors, Staines Town, Stourbridge, Truro City, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Worcester City
ISTHMIAN PREMIER: Bishop's Stortford, Chelmsford City, Concord Rangers, Corby Town, Dartford, Dulwich Hamlet, East Thurrock United, Eastbourne Borough, Ebbsfleet United, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hendon, King's Lynn Town, Kingstonian, Leiston, Lowestoft Town, Maidstone United, Margate, Metropolitan Police, St. Albans City, Stamford, Sutton United, Wealdstone, Whitehawk, Wingate & Finchley
LEVEL 7NORTHERN PREMIER DIV 1 NORTH: Blyth Spartans, Brigg Town, Brighouse Town, Darlington, Farsley, Frickley Athletic, Goole, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Kendal Town, Lancaster City, Lincoln United, Ossett Albion, Ossett Town, Scarborough Athletic, Sheffield, Spennymoor Town, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Tadcaster Albion, West Auckland Town, Whitby Town
NORTHERN PREMIER DIV 1 WEST: Bamber Bridge, Burscough, Clitheroe, Droylsden, Glossop North End, Lye Town, Marine, Mossley, Nantwich Town, New Mills, Northwich Victoria, Padiham, Prescot Cables, Radcliffe Borough, Ramsbottom United, Runcorn Linnets, Salford City, Trafford, Warrington Town, Witton Albion
NORTHERN PREMIER DIV 1 SOUTH: Bedworth United, Belper Town, Carlton Town, Chasetown, Coalville Town, Gresley, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leek Town, Loughborough Dynamo, Market Drayton Town, Matlock Town, Mickleover Sports, Newcastle Town, Norton United, Rainworth Miners Welfare, Romulus, Rugby Town, Stafford Rangers, Sutton Coldfield Town, Tividale
SOUTHERN DIV 1 WEST: Bideford, Bridgwater Town, Chippenham Town, Cinderford Town, Cirencester Town, Dorchester Town, Evesham United, Frome Town, Larkhall Athletic, Mangotsfield United, Merthyr Town, Paulton Rovers, Sholing, Shortwood United, Swindon Supermarine, Taunton Town, Tiverton, AFC Totton, Wimborne Town, Yate Town
SOUTHERN DIV 1 CENTRAL: AFC Hayes, Aylesbury, Aylesbury United, Banbury United, Beaconsfield SYCOB, Burnham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chesham United, Didcot Town, Egham Town, Hanwell Town, Harrow Borough, Marlow, North Greenford United, North Leigh, Northwood, Slough Town, Stratford Town, Uxbridge, Wantage Town
SOUTHERN DIV 1 EAST: Arlesey Town, Barton Town, Bedford Town, Cheshunt, Corinthian-Casuals, Dunstable Town, East Grinstead Town, Horsham, Kettering Town, Leighton Town, Potters Bar Town, Redhill, Royston Town, Spalding United, St. Ives Town, St. Neots Town, Waltham Abbey, Walton & Hersham, Walton Casuals, Ware
ISTHMIAN DIV 1 EAST: Biggleswade Town, Billericay Town, Brentwood Town, Brightlingsea Regent, Bury Town, Cambridge City, Canvey Island, Dereham Town, Enfield Town, Grays Athletic, Great Wakering Rovers, Harlow Town, Histon, Hitchin Town, Hornchurch, Needham Market, Soham Town Rangers, AFC Sudbury, Witham Town, Wroxham
ISTHMIAN DIV 1 WEST: Barking, Barkingside, Burgess Hill Town, Chipstead, FC Romania, Fleet Town, Godalming Town, Godmanchester Rovers, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Haringey Borough, Leatherhead, Lewes, Merstham, Peacehaven & Telscombe, Redbridge, South Park, Thamesmead Town, Three Bridges, VCD Athletic, Worthing
ISTHMIAN DIV 1 SOUTH: Aveley, Bognor Regis Town, Burgess Hill Town, Carshalton Athletic, Chatham Town, Cray Wanderers, Faversham Town, Folkestone Invicta, Guernsey, Hastings United, Herne Bay, Hythe Town, Romford, Sittingbourne, Thurrock, Tilbury, Tonbridge Angels, Tooting & Mitcham United, Whitstable Town, Whyteleafe
LEVEL 8NORTHERN DIV 2 NORTH - NORTH: Ashington, Bedlington Terriers, Birtley Town, Consett, Dunston UTS, Heaton Stannington, Hebburn Town, Jarrow Roofing, Morpeth Town, Newcastle Benfield, North Shields, Ryhope Colliery Welfare, Seaham Red Star, South Shields, Sunderland Ryhope CA, Team Northumbria, Washington, West Allotment Celtic, Whickham, Whitley Bay
NORTHERN DIV 2 NORTH - CENTRAL: Billingham Synthonia, Billingham Town, Bishop Auckland, Celtic Nation, Crook Town, Darlington Railway Athletic, Durham City, Esh Winning, Guisborough Town, Marske United, Newton Aycliffe, Northallerton Town, Norton & Stockton Ancients, Penrith, Pickering Town, Shildon, Stokesley Sports Club, Thornaby, Tow Law Town, Willington
NORTHERN DIV 2 NORTH - SOUTH: Albion Sports, Armthorpe Welfare, Athersley Recreation, Barton Town Old Boys, Bottesford Town, Bridlington Town, Eccleshill United, Emley, Garforth Town, Glasshoughton Welfare, Hemsworth Miners Welfare, Knaresborough Town, Liversedge, Nostell Miners Welfare, Penistone Church, Pontefract Collieries, Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Silsden, Thackley, Yorkshire Amateur
NORTHERN DIV 2 WEST - NORTH: AFC Blackpool, AFC Liverpool, Ashton Athletic, Ashton Town, Atherton Collieries, Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Bacup & Rossendale Borough, Barnoldswick Town, Bootle, Cammell Laird, Colne, Daisy Hill, Darwen, Holker Old Boys, Litherland REMYCA, Nelson, Squires Gate, St. Helens Town, Waterloo Dock, Wigan Robin Park
NORTHERN DIV 2 WEST - CENTRAL: 1874 Northwich, Abbey Hey, Alsager Town, Barnton, Chadderton, Cheadle Town, Congleton Town, Ellesmere Rangers, Hanley Town, Irlam, Maine Road, Oldham Boro, Rocester, Rochdale Town, Runcorn Town, Shawbury United, Stockport Sports, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Widnes, Winsford United
NORTHERN DIV 2 WEST - SOUTH: Black Country Rangers, Boldmere St. Michaels, Bridgnorth, Brocton, Bromsgrove Sporting, Cadbury Athletic, Causeway United, Continental Star, Eccleshall, Gornal Athletic, Haughmond, Heath Hayes, Malvern Town, Sporting Khalsa, Stafford Town, Stourport Swifts, Tipton Town, Uttoxeter Town, Walsall Wood, AFC Wulfrunians
NORTHERN DIV 2 SOUTH - NORTH: AFC Mansfield, Arnold Town, Basford United, Boston Town, Cleethorpes Town, Clipstone, Dunkirk, Handsworth Parramore, Harrowby United, Heanor Town, Kimberley Miners Welfare, Louth Town, Maltby Main, Parkgate, Retford United, Shirebrook Town, Sleaford Town, South Normanton Athletic, Staveley Miners Welfare, Worksop Town
NORTHERN DIV 2 SOUTH - WEST: Alvechurch, Ashby Ivanhoe, Atherstone Town, Bardon Hill, Barrow Town, Bolehall Swifts, Coleshill Town, Coventry Copsewood, Coventry Sphinx, Daventry Town, Ellistown & Ibstock United, Highgate United, Hinckley, Holbrook Sports, Long Eaton United, Loughborough University, Quorn, Radford, Shepshed Dynamo, Studley
NORTHERN DIV 2 SOUTH - SOUTH: Blaby & Whetstone Athletic, Deeping Rangers, Desborough Town, Harborough Town, Holbeach United, Holwell Sports, Kirby Muxloe, Long Buckby, Lutterworth Athletic, Northampton ON Cheneks, Northampton Sileby Rangers, Northampton Spencer, Oadby Town, Peterborough Northern Star, Peterborough Sports, Raunds Town, Rothwell Corinthians, St. Andrews, Thurnby Nirvana, Yaxley
SOUTHERN DIV 2 WEST - WEST: Barnstaple Town, Bodmin Town, Bridport, Buckland Athletic, Callington Town, Cullompton Rangers, Exmouth Town, Gillingham Town, Godolphin Atlantic, Ivybridge Town, Launceston, Plymouth Parkway, Saltash United, Sherborne Town, St. Austell, St. Blazey, Stoke Gabriel, Torpoint Athletic, Willand Rovers, Witheridge
SOUTHERN DIV 2 WEST - EAST: Amesbury Town, Bashley, Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Blackfield & Langley, Bournemouth, Brockenhurst, Christchurch, Cowes Sports, Downton, Fawley, Folland Sports, Hamworthy United, Hythe & Dibden, Lymington Town, New Milton Town, Newport (IOW), Ringwood Town, Team Solent, Totton & Eling, Verwood Town
SOUTHERN DIV 2 WEST - NORTH: Ashton & Backwell United, Bishop Sutton, Bishops Cleeve, Bitton, Bradford Town, Brislington, Bristol Manor Farm, Cadbury Heath, Clevedon Town, Corsham Town, Cribbs, Hallen, Longwell Green Sports, Melksham Town, Odd Down, Shepton Mallet, Street, Welton Rovers, Wincanton Town, Winterbourne United
SOUTHERN DIV 2 CENTRAL - WEST: Abingdon United, Brimscombe & Thrupp, Carterton, Cheltenham Saracens, Clanfield, Fairford Town, Highworth Town, Littleton, Longlevens, Lydney Town, Milton United, New College Swindon, Old Woodstock Town, Purton, Shrivenham, Slimbridge, Tuffley Rovers, Tytherington Rocks, Westfields, Wootton Bassett Town
SOUTHERN DIV 2 CENTRAL - EAST: AFC Dunstable, Ardley United, Binfield, Buckingham Athletic, Buckingham Town, Chinnor, Easington Sports, Flackwell Heath, Headington Amateurs, Henley Town, Holmer Green, Holyport, Hook Norton, Kidlington, Penn & Tylers Green, Risborough Rangers, Thame United, Tring Athletic, Windsor, Winslow United
SOUTHERN DIV 2 CENTRAL - SOUTH: Alresford Town, Alton Town, Andover New Street, Andover Town, Eversley & California, Finchampstead, Hartley Wintney, Highmoor Ibis, Laverstock & Ford, Letcombe, Newbury, Pewsey Vale, Reading Town, Romsey Town, Tadley Calleva, Thatcham Town, Whitchurch United, Winchester City, Wokingham & Emmbrook, Woodley Town
SOUTHERN DIV 2 SOUTH - SOUTH: Arundel, Baffins Milton Rovers, Chichester City, East Preston, Fareham Town, Hamble Club, Horndean, Liphook United, Littlehampton Town, Loxwood, Midhurst & Easebourne, Moneyfields, Pagham, Petersfield Town, Portchester, Rustington, Selsey, Storrington, United Services Portsmouth, Wick & Barnham United
SOUTHERN DIV 2 SOUTH - WEST: Ascot United, Ash United, Ashford Town, Badshot Lea, Bedfont & Feltham, Bedfont Sports, Bracknell Town, Camberley Town, Chertsey Town, Cove, Farnham Town, Fleet Spurs, Frimley Green, Guildford City, Knaphill, Sandhurst Town, Sheerwater, Spelthorne Sports, Staines Lammas, Westfield (Surrey)
SOUTHERN DIV 2 SOUTH - EAST: Abbey Rangers, Banstead Athletic, Battersea Ironsides, Beckenham Town, Chessington & Hook United, Cobham, Colliers Wood United, Croydon, Croydon Athletic, Dorking, Dorking Wanderers, Epsom & Ewell, Epsom Athletic, Farleigh Rovers, Fisher, Hanworth Villa, Mole Valley SCR, Molesey, Raynes Park Vale, Worcester Park
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 WEST - NORTH: Ampthill Town, Baldock Town, Bedford, Biggleswade United, Bugbrooke St. Michaels, Cogenhoe United, Crawley Green, Eynesbury United, Huntingdon Town, Kempston Rovers, Langford, Newport Pagnell Town, Olney Town, Potton United, Rushden & Diamonds, Southam United, Stony Stratford Town, Stotfold, Wellingborough Town, Wellingborough Whitworth
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 WEST - CENTRAL: Broxbourne Borough, Cockfosters, Codicote, Colney Heath, Enfield, Eton Manor, Hadley, Hale Leys United, Hatfield Town, Hertford Town, Hoddesdon Town, Kent Athletic, London Colney, London Tigers, Sawbridgeworth Town, St. Margaretsbury, Stansted, Takeley, Welwyn Garden City, Wodson Park
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 WEST - SOUTH: Amersham Town, Belstone, Berkhamsted, Bovingdon, Brimsdown, CB Hounslow United, Chalfont Wasps, Edgware Town, Harefield United, Harpenden Town, Hillingdon Borough, Kings Langley, Leverstock Green, London Lions, Oxhey Jets, Rayners Lane, Southall, Sun Sports, Waltham Forest, Wembley
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 EAST - NORTH: Acle United, Debenham LC, Diss Town, Downham Town, Ely City, Fakenham Town, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth Town, Kirkley & Pakefield, Long Stratton, March Town United, Mildenhall Town, Newmarket Town, Norwich CEYMS, Norwich United, Stowmarket Town, Swaffham Town, Thetford Town, Walsham-le-Willows, Wisbech Town
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 EAST - CENTRAL: Bishop's Stortford Swifts, Brantham Athletic, Burnham Ramblers, Clacton, Cornard United, Crane Sports, Felixstowe & Walton, Hadleigh United, Halstead Town, Haverhill Borough, Haverhill Rovers, Heybridge Swifts, Ipswich Wanderers, Long Melford, Maldon & Tiptree, Saffron Walden Town, Stanway Rovers, Whitton United, Wivenhoe Town, Woodbridge Town
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 EAST - SOUTH: Basildon United, Bowers & Pitsea, Bush Hill Rangers, Clapton, Frenford Senior, Gas Recreation, Greenhouse London, Hannakins Farm, Harold Wood Athletic, Hullbridge Sports, Ilford, Kelvedon Hatch, London Bari, Newham, Rayleigh Town, Southend Manor, Sporting Bengal United, Springfield, Tower Hamlets, Wadham Lodge
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 SOUTH - EAST: Ashford United, Bearsted, Bexhill United, Canterbury City, Corinthian, Deal Town, Gravesham Borough, Hollands & Blair, Little Common, Lordswood, Lydd Town, Metrogas, Ramsgate, Rochester United, Rusthall, Seaford Town, Sheppey United, Tunbridge Wells, Westfield (Sussex), Woodstock Sports
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 SOUTH - WEST: Broadbridge Heath, Crawley Down Gatwick, Crowborough Athletic, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne United, Hailsham Town, Hassocks, Haywards Heath Town, Horley Town, Horsham YMCA, Lancing, Lingfield, Mile Oak, Newhaven, Oakwood, Ringmer, Shoreham, St. Francis Rangers, Uckfield Town, Worthing United
ISTHMIAN DIV 2 SOUTH - NORTH: APM Contrast, Bridon Ropes, Cray Valley PM, Crockenhill, Eltham Palace, Erith & Belvedere, Erith Town, Glebe, Greenwich Borough, Guru Nanak, Hildenborough Athletic, Holmesdale, Kent Football United, Lewisham Borough, Meridian VP, Orpington, Phoenix Sports, Seven Acre & Sidcup, Sevenoaks Town, Sutton Athletic