| Conference National |
|---|
| Football Conference 2007-08 |
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| Founded |
| 1979 (as the Alliance Premier League) |
| Nation |
| Promotion To |
| Football League Two |
| Relegation To |
| Conference North Conference South |
| Number of Teams |
| 24 |
| Level on Pyramid |
| Level 5 |
| Cups |
| FA Cup (Qualification Needed) FA Trophy Conference League Cup Setanta Shield |
| Current Champions (2007-08) |
| Aldershot Town |
| Website |
| Conference |
Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons) [1] is the top division of the Football Conference. The Football Conference consists of the top two levels of Non-League football in England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Football League Two (often referred to as League Two for short or Coca-Cola Football League 2 for Sponsorship reasons is the third-highest division of The Conference North (currently billed as Blue Square North for sponsorship reasons is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place Conference South (currently billed as Blue Square South for sponsorship reasons is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in England (although The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after History It was created by The Football Association in 1969 for Semi-professional teams to complement the existing FA Amateur Cup. Format The competition is a Knockout tournament with pairings drawn at random - like the FA Cup there is a minimal form of seeding in that members Format The competition is a Knockout tournament with pairings drawn at random - like the FA Cup there is a minimal form of seeding in that members Aldershot Town Football Club is a Football League club based in Aldershot, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Organisation The Football Conference stands at the top of the National League System (NLS a comprehensive structure linking together over 50 different leagues under the It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system. The National League System comprises the seven levels of the English football league system immediately below the level of the FA Premier League and The Football The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in England (although While all of the clubs in the top four tiers of English football are full-time professional, the Conference National has a mixture of full-time and semi-professional clubs. A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an Amateur, but for whom Sport is not a full-time occupation generally because the
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The league was formed as the 'Alliance Premier League' in 1979. Organisation The Football Conference stands at the top of the National League System (NLS a comprehensive structure linking together over 50 different leagues under the The following are the Football (soccer events of the year 1979 throughout the world It was the first attempt to create a fully national league underneath the football league, drawing its clubs from the Northern Premier League and the Southern League. History The Northern Premier League (NPL was founded in 1968, as the northern equivalent of the Southern League, decades after the other two leagues at what History Professional football (and Professional sport in general developed more slowly in Southern England than in the north. It greatly improved the quality of football at this lower level, as well as improving the financial status of the top clubs. This was reflected in 1986, when the Football League began accepting direct promotion and relegation between the Conference (which the league had been renamed by then) and the bottom division of the Football League which at that time was known as the Football League Fourth Division and is now Football League Two. The following are the Football (soccer events of the year 1986 throughout the world The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs "Fourth Division" redirects here For usage of the term in the Military, see 4th Division. Football League Two (often referred to as League Two for short or Coca-Cola Football League 2 for Sponsorship reasons is the third-highest division of The first team to be promoted by this method was Scarborough and the first team relegated was Lincoln City. Scarborough Football Club was an English football team based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Lincoln City FC are an English football team currently playing in Football League Two (the fourth tier of the English football league system
Since 2002-03, the league has been granted a second promotion place, with a play-off deciding who joins the champions in the Football League. Previously, no promotion from the Conference would occur if the winners did not have adequate stadium facilities. As of the start of the 2002-03 season, if a club achieves the automatic promotion or the play-off places but does not have an adequate stadium, their place will be re-allocated to the next highest placed club, that has the required facilities. In 2004-05, the Conference increased its size by adding two lower divisions, the Conference North and Conference South respectively. The Conference North (currently billed as Blue Square North for sponsorship reasons is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place Conference South (currently billed as Blue Square South for sponsorship reasons is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking In 2006 the Conference expanded from 22 to 24 teams by relegating two teams and promoting four teams. The following are the Football (soccer events of the year 2006 throughout the world In the 2006-07 season a "four up and four down" system between the Conference National and its two feeder divisions was introduced.
The champions in the 2006-07 season were Dagenham & Redbridge who were promoted to Football League Two along with Morecambe who won the 2007 Playoff Final at Wembley Stadium. Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club is an English football team based in Dagenham, East London, currently playing in the Football League Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. The 2006-07 Conference National Playoff Final took place on 20 May 2007 and was contested between Morecambe and Exeter City. Wembley Stadium is a Stadium in Wembley, located in the London Borough of Brent in London, England.
In April 2007, it was announced all the Football Conference had agreed a three year sponsorship deal with online betting firm Blue Square. The following are the Association football events of the year 2007 throughout the world Organisation The Football Conference stands at the top of the National League System (NLS a comprehensive structure linking together over 50 different leagues under the The Rank Group plc ( was established on 22 December, 1995 as a Public limited company in England and Wales and in October 1996 Under the deal, all three Conference leagues would be sponsored by Blue Square from the 2007-08 season. This would also lead to a renaming of the leagues with the Conference National becoming the Blue Square Premier, the Conference North becoming Blue Square North and the Conference South becoming Blue Square South. [1]
In August 2006 Setanta Sports signed a five year deal with the Blue Square Premier. Setanta Sports (sɛˈtantə is a sports broadcaster based in Ireland, operating 12 channels in 24 countries Under the deal, Setanta Sports started showing live matches in the 2007-08 season, with 79 live matches each season. Included in the deal were the annual Play Off matches as well as the Setanta Shield, a cup competition for the three Football Conference divisions. Format The competition is a Knockout tournament with pairings drawn at random - like the FA Cup there is a minimal form of seeding in that members [2] Setanta show two live matches a week, with one on Thursday evening and one at the weekend. [3]
| Finishing position last season | |
|---|---|
| Altrincham | 21st 1 |
| Barrow | 5th in Conference North |
| Burton Albion | 5th |
| Cambridge United | 2nd |
| Crawley Town | 15th |
| Eastbourne Borough | 2nd in Conference South |
| Ebbsfleet United | 11th |
| Forest Green Rovers | 8th |
| Grays Athletic | 10th |
| Histon | 7th |
| Kettering Town | 1st in Conference North |
| Kidderminster Harriers | 13th |
| Lewes | 1st in Conference South |
| Mansfield Town | 23rd in League Two |
| Northwich Victoria | 19th |
| Oxford United | 9nd |
| Rushden & Diamonds | 16th |
| Salisbury City | 12th |
| Stevenage Borough | 6th |
| Torquay United | 3rd |
| Weymouth | 16th |
| Woking | 17th |
| Wrexham | 24th in League Two |
| York City | 14th |
² Not relegated due to Halifax Town being demoted
1Not promoted due to stadium not being adequate for the Football League
2Boston United allowed to retain championship title and subsequent promotion to the Football League despite having been found guilty of serious financial misconduct during their title winning season. The Football Conference consists of the top two levels of Non-League football in England. Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Barrow AFC are a football team based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. The Conference North (currently billed as Blue Square North for sponsorship reasons is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place Burton Albion Football Club are an English football team currently playing in the Conference National. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. Crawley Town Football Club is an English football team from Crawley, West Sussex. Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference National Conference South (currently billed as Blue Square South for sponsorship reasons is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking Ebbsfleet United Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Football Conference. Forest Green Rovers FC is an English football team based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Grays Athletic Football Club are a football team from the south east of England, representing the town of Grays, Thurrock, Essex Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Kettering Town Football Club is a football club based in Kettering. The Conference North (currently billed as Blue Square North for sponsorship reasons is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex currently playing in the Conference National. Conference South (currently billed as Blue Square South for sponsorship reasons is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking Mansfield Town Football Club are an English football club who from the 2008&ndash09 season will compete in the Conference National. Football League Two (often referred to as League Two for short or Coca-Cola Football League 2 for Sponsorship reasons is the third-highest division of Northwich Victoria Football Club is an English football club based in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire. For the Northern Irish football club see Oxford United Stars F Rushden & Diamonds FC is a professional football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Salisbury City Football Club are an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Stevenage Borough FC are an English football team based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, currently playing in the Conference National Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls is an English association football club based in the seaside resort town of Torquay, Devon Weymouth FC, also known as "The Terras" are a Dorset -based English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the Wrexham Association Football Club (Clwb Pêl-droed Wrecsam nicknamed The Red Dragons, or more traditionally The Robins, their previous nickname are a professional Football League Two (often referred to as League Two for short or Coca-Cola Football League 2 for Sponsorship reasons is the third-highest division of York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National. Alliance Premier League teams 1979-80 AP Leamington Altrincham Bangor City Barnet Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Football Conference teams 1980-81 AP Leamington Altrincham Bangor City Barnet Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Conference National teams 1981-82 AP Leamington Altrincham Barnet Barrow Runcorn FC Halton was an English football Club that played in Runcorn, Widnes and Prescot at various points during its Conference National teams 1982-83 Altrincham Bangor City (promoted 1981-82 Barnet Barrow Enfield (1893 FC (often known as Enfield 1893 and still just Enfield) is a football club formed in June 2007 after Enfield F Conference National teams 1983-84 Altrincham Bangor City Barnet Bath City Maidstone United Football Club are an English football team from Maidstone, Kent. Conference National teams 1984-85 Altrincham Barnet Barrow (promoted 1983-84 Bath City Wealdstone Football Club is an English semi-professional Football club based in Ruislip, in the County of Middlesex. Conference National teams 1985-86 Altrincham Barnet Barrow Bath City Enfield (1893 FC (often known as Enfield 1893 and still just Enfield) is a football club formed in June 2007 after Enfield F Conference National teams 1986-87 Altrincham Barnet Bath City Boston United Scarborough Football Club was an English football team based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Conference National teams 1987-88 Altrincham Barnet Bath City Boston United Lincoln City FC are an English football team currently playing in Football League Two (the fourth tier of the English football league system Conference National teams 1988-89 Altrincham Aylesbury United (promoted 1987-88 Barnet Maidstone United Football Club are an English football team from Maidstone, Kent. Conference National teams 1989-90 Altrincham Barnet Barrow (promoted 1988-89 Boston Darlington Football Club (also known as Darlo or The Quakers) are an English football team based in the English town of Conference National teams 1990-91 Altrincham Barnet Barrow Bath City (promoted Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Coca Cola Football Conference National teams 1991-92 Altrincham Barrow Bath City Boston United Colchester United Football Club is an English football team who play in League One for the 2008-09 season following confirmation of their relegation on Conference National teams 1992-93 Altrincham Bath City Boston United Bromsgrove Rovers Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, currently playing in Football League Conference National teams 1993-94 Altrincham Bath City Bromsgrove Rovers Dagenham & Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Conference National teams 1994-95 Altrincham Bath City Bromsgrove Rovers Dagenham & Macclesfield Town Football Club are an English football team The club were formed in 1874 and are based in the small town of Macclesfield in Conference National teams 1995-96 Altrincham Bath City Bromsgrove Rovers Dagenham & Stevenage Borough FC are an English football team based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, currently playing in the Conference National Conference National teams 1996-97 Altrincham Bath City Bromsgrove Rovers Dover Athletic Macclesfield Town Football Club are an English football team The club were formed in 1874 and are based in the small town of Macclesfield in Conference National teams 1997-98 Cheltenham Town (promoted 1996-97 Dover Athletic Farnborough Town Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National. Conference National teams 1998-99 Barrow (promoted 1997-98 Cheltenham Town Doncaster Rovers (relegated Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League One, the third tier of English football Conference National teams 1999-00 Altrincham (promoted 1998-99 Doncaster Rovers Dover Athletic Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Conference National teams 2000-01 Boston United (promoted 1999-00 Chester City (relegated from the Football League 1999-00 Rushden & Diamonds FC is a professional football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Conference National teams 2001-02 Barnet (relegated from the Football League 2000-01 Boston United Chester Boston United Football Club are a football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. Final League Table Play-offs The Conference National play-offs determine the second team that will be promoted to the Football League Division Three Yeovil Town FC is an English football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. Doncaster Rovers Football Club (or informally Donny) are an English football club based at the Keepmoat Stadium in the town of Doncaster Final League Table Play-offs The Conference National play-offs determine the second team that will be promoted to Football League Two. Chester City Football Club is an English football club from Chester. Shrewsbury Town Football Club are an English football club currently playing in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football The 2004-05 season saw the Football Conference expanded to three divisions with the addition of the Conference North and Conference South added Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Coca Cola Football Carlisle United FC are an English football team based in Carlisle, Cumbria, play in the Football League One this season after gaining The 2005-06 Football Conference season saw the return of Accrington Stanley (albeit as a reformed club and Hereford United to The Football League Accrington Stanley Football Club is an English football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the north-west of England formed in 1968 Hereford United Football Club are an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. The 2006-07 Football Conference season saw the promotion of Dagenham & Redbridge and Morecambe to The Football League for the first time whilst Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club is an English football team based in Dagenham, East London, currently playing in the Football League Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. The Football Conference consists of the top two levels of Non-League football in England. Aldershot Town Football Club is a Football League club based in Aldershot, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Exeter City Football Club are an English football club based in Exeter, who were members of the Football League from 1920 to 2003 and rejoined Following their later relegation back from the Football League, due to ongoing financial concerns and irregularities at the club, Boston United were passed straight back through the Conference National and placed into Conference North.
| Home Club | Stadium Name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham | Racecourse Ground | 15,000 |
| Oxford United | Kassam Stadium | 12,500 |
| Mansfield Town | Field Mill | 9,990 |
| Cambridge United | Trade Recruitment Stadium | 9,617 |
| York City | KitKat Crescent | 9,034 |
| Stevenage Borough | Broadhall Way | 7,100 |
| Weymouth | The Wessex Stadium | 6,600 |
| Burton Albion | Pirelli Stadium | 6,500 |
| Rushden & Diamonds | Nene Park | 6,441 |
| Kettering Town | A-Line Arena | 6,264 |
| Kidderminster Harriers | Aggborough | 6,238 |
| Altrincham | Moss Lane | 6,150 |
| Woking | Kingfield | 6,036 |
| Torquay United | Plainmoor | 6,000 |
| Eastbourne Borough | Priory Lane Stadium | 5,664 |
| Forest Green Rovers | The New Lawn | 5,147 |
| Ebbsfleet United | Stonebridge Road | 5,011 |
| Salisbury City | The Raymond McEnhill Stadium | 5,000 |
| Crawley Town | Broadfield Stadium | 4,996 |
| Northwich Victoria | Victoria Stadium | 4,500 |
| Grays Athletic | New Recreation Ground | 4,500 |
| Barrow | Holker Street | 4,007 |
| Histon | Bridge Road | 3,250 |
| Lewes | The Dripping Pan | 3,000 |