| Football Conference |
|---|
 |
| Football Conference 2007-08 |
| Founded |
| 1979 |
| Nation |
 England |
| Feeder To |
| Football League Two |
| Divisions |
| Conference National (1979-present) Conference North (2004-present) Conference South (2004-present) |
| Number of Teams |
| 68 24 (National) 22 (North) 22 (South) |
| Levels on Pyramid |
| Level 5 (Conference National) Level 6 (North) and (South) |
| Cups |
| FA Trophy Conference League Cup |
| Current Champions (2007/08) |
| Aldershot Town (National) Kettering Town (North) Lewes (South) |
| Website |
| Conference |
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. The Football Conference consists of the top two levels of Non-League football in England. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) 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 Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons is the top division of the Football Conference. 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 Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons is the top division of the Football Conference. 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 Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons is the top division of the Football Conference. The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in England (although 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 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 Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common 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 Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons is the top division of the Football Conference. 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 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 Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Football is the National sport of England and plays a significant role in English culture. Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons is the top division of the Football Conference. 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 Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, but most of them are semi-professional. 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 Conference National is the fifth and lowest of the five nationwide football divisions in England, below the FA Premier League and the three divisions of the Football League, and the top tier of the National League System of non-League football. The Premier League, colloquially referred to as the Premiership, is an English professional league for football clubs The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs 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 Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. Conference North and Conference South serving as regional feeders one step down. The Football Conference consisted of only one division up until 2004, but expanded as part of an extensive restructuring of the National League System which took effect beginning with the 2004-05 season.
From the 2007-08 season onwards, as part of a 3 year sponsorship deal with betting firm Blue Square, the Conference National will be known as the Blue Square Premier and the tiers below as Blue Square North and Blue Square South. The Rank Group plc ( was established on 22 December, 1995 as a Public limited company in England and Wales and in October 1996 [1]
Contents |
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 auspices of The Football Association (FA). 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 Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey Conference National is at Step 1 of the NLS, and Conference North and Conference South make up Step 2. Above the Conference are the 92 clubs which together make up the highest levels of English football, the Premier League and The Football League; below the Conference are the Step 3 and lower leagues of the NLS. This is a list of football clubs located in England and the leagues and divisions they play in (though note that not all play in the English football league system The Premier League, colloquially referred to as the Premiership, is an English professional league for football clubs The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs
The Conference National has 24 clubs and the North and South divisions have 22 clubs each. Each club plays the others in its division twice during a season, once at home and once away. Clubs earn three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.
At the end of each season two clubs are promoted from Conference National to Football League Two and two teams from League Two are relegated to Conference National to take their place. 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 two promotion places are awarded to the Conference National champions and to the winners of a playoff between those clubs finishing second to fifth in the standings.
At the other end of the table, the bottom four clubs in Conference National are relegated to either Conference North or Conference South. The decision as to which division the relegated club joins is made by the FA's NLS Committee, but is largely determined by geography. Due to financial constraints at this level of football, some clubs have escaped relegation despite finishing in a relegation position, due to the misfortune of others. The four relegated teams are replaced by four promoted teams, two from Conference North and two from Conference South. For each of these two leagues this will be the champions and the winners of playoffs between the second to fifth place clubs.
At the bottom of Conference North and Conference South, three clubs from each division are relegated and these six clubs are divided among the Step 3 leagues of the NLS, the Northern Premier League, the Southern League, and the Isthmian 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. History The league was founded in 1905 and was strongly dedicated to Amateurism. Each of these Step 3 leagues promotes their respective champions and second to fifth place playoff winners. The NLS Committee determines which Step 3 leagues the relegated clubs will join, and whether the promoted clubs will join Conference North or Conference South.
Of course, clubs are not always relegated from the national division in a geographically balanced manner. Thus, should it be deemed necessary the NLS Committee will order one or more Midlands or East Anglian-based clubs in the sixth tier to switch divisions (to move "horizontally" through the leagues so to speak) so as to maintain numerical balance between North and South. This article is mainly about the English Midlands For other uses see Midlands (disambiguation. East Anglia is often used as a shorthand for the Kingdom of the East Angles. The most recent example of this sort of movement came in 2008 when the clubs relegated from the National division were all based in northerly locales and the Southern League was won by one of its northernmost clubs, compelling Worcester City and Redditch United to play the following season in the South to make way for them. History Professional football (and Professional sport in general developed more slowly in Southern England than in the north. Worcester City Football Club is an English football club from Worcester, England. Redditch United FC, founded in 1891 as Redditch Town, are a British football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire.
For promotion to proceed, whether from The Football Conference to The Football League, within the Conference, or between the various leagues of the NLS, certain conditions concerning finances and facilities must be met. Failure to meet the requirements of the league concerned will prevent the eligible club from being promoted.
History
The Football Conference was formed in 1979 from leading teams in the Northern Premier League and Southern League and was originally known as the Alliance Premier League. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) The founding members were:
- Altrincham F.C.
- Bangor City F.C.
- Barnet F.C.
- Barrow F.C.
- Bath City F.C.
- Boston United F.C.
- Ebbsfleet United F.C. (under its former name, Gravesend and Northfleet)
- Kettering Town F.C.
- Maidstone United F.C.
- Northwich Victoria F.C.
- Nuneaton Borough F.C.
- Redditch United F.C.
- Scarborough F.C.
- Stafford Rangers F.C.
- Telford United F.C.
- Wealdstone F.C.
- Weymouth F.C.
- Yeovil Town F.C.
Barrow and Northwich had been in the Football League before but had been dismissed as a result of not being elected for future terms. Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Bangor City FC is a football team playing in the Welsh Premier League. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Coca Cola Football Barrow AFC are a football team based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. Bath City FC are a football club based in Bath, Somerset, currently playing in the Conference South. Boston United Football Club are a football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. Ebbsfleet United Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Football Conference. Kettering Town Football Club is a football club based in Kettering. Maidstone United Football Club are an English football team from Maidstone, Kent. Northwich Victoria Football Club is an English football club based in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire. Redditch United FC, founded in 1891 as Redditch Town, are a British football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. Scarborough Football Club was an English football team based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Stafford Rangers Football Club are a semi-professional English football team from Stafford who play in the Conference North. Telford United FC were an English football team based in Telford, Shropshire. Wealdstone Football Club is an English semi-professional Football club based in Ruislip, in the County of Middlesex. Weymouth FC, also known as "The Terras" are a Dorset -based English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the Yeovil Town FC is an English football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. Bangor City has since moved to the Welsh football league system, while Maidstone, Scarborough and Telford later collapsed and had to be reconstituted in lower English leagues. The Welsh football league system (or pyramid) is a series of football leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them
Since 1984 it has been publicly known by the names of a succession of official title sponsors. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) The name was officially changed to the Football Conference in 1986. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Below is a list of sponsors and what they chose to call the league:
- 1984-1986: Gola (Gola League)
- 1986-1998: General Motors (GM Vauxhall Conference)
- 1998-2007: Nationwide Building Society (Nationwide Conference)
- 2007- Blue Square (Blue Square Premier)
From the start of the 2007-08 season, the Conference will be sponsored by bookmakers Blue Square. Gola is a sporting goods manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. Vauxhall Motors is a British automobile company It is a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation (GM and is part of GM Europe. Nationwide Building Society is the largest Building society in the world The Rank Group plc ( was established on 22 December, 1995 as a Public limited company in England and Wales and in October 1996 The Rank Group plc ( was established on 22 December, 1995 as a Public limited company in England and Wales and in October 1996 The Conference will then be known as Blue Square Premier, with Conference North and South renamed Blue Square Northern and Southern 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
The Football Conference had a single division for the first 25 years of its existence, but since the 2004-05 season has consisted of three divisions. The original division was renamed Conference National and two new regional divisions one level down were introduced, Conference North and Conference South. The new clubs were drawn from the Northern Premier League, Southern League, and Isthmian League according to guidelines developed by the NLS Committee.
Only six teams have had the honour of winning the Conference on two occasions; Altrincham (1980, 1981), Barnet (1991, 2005), Enfield (1983, 1986), Kidderminster Harriers (1994, 2000), Macclesfield Town (1995, 1997) and Maidstone United (1984, 1989). Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Coca Cola Football Enfield (1893 FC (often known as Enfield 1893 and still just Enfield) is a football club formed in June 2007 after Enfield F Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. 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 Maidstone United Football Club are an English football team from Maidstone, Kent. Kidderminster also finished second in 1997. Of those sides only one, Barnet, was promoted to the Football League on both occasions; Maidstone's first title came before the era of automatic promotion, while Macclesfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers were denied promotion because their grounds were not up to the required standard at the time of their first win. However, both teams were promoted when they took their second title. Altrincham are the only team in history to retain the title, as at the time there was no automatic promotion to the Football League.
Promotion and Relegation
Prior to 1987, in order for Conference clubs to enter The Football League, they had to be elected by League members. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs As a consequence, there was no guarantee that winning the Football Conference would result in promotion, and none of the league's first eight champions were promoted. This changed in 1987, when automatic promotion and relegation between the Football League Fourth Division and the Conference was agreed. "Fourth Division" redirects here For usage of the term in the Military, see 4th Division. The first clubs to be affected by the new system were Lincoln City, who were relegated and replaced by Scarborough. Lincoln City FC are an English football team currently playing in Football League Two (the fourth tier of the English football league system Scarborough Football Club was an English football team based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. However, although the champions of the Conference were entitled to a place in the Football League, this was dependent on their stadium meeting the set criteria for membership. For three successive years in the mid 1990s, the Conference champions were denied promotion to the Football League on these grounds. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 Since 1997, when Macclesfield Town won the title for the second time in three years (they had been one of the three clubs denied promotion due to their stadium not meeting the criteria), every champion has been promoted. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar 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
Since 2003, the Conference has been awarded a second promotion place, which has been decided by a play-off system similar to that of the Football League. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The four teams below the Conference champions play against each other over two legs, with second playing fifth and third playing fourth. The winners of these ties then play a single final game, with the winner gaining the second promotion place. Doncaster Rovers were the first team to win the Conference play-offs. Doncaster Rovers Football Club (or informally Donny) are an English football club based at the Keepmoat Stadium in the town of Doncaster
Prior to 2004, relegation from the Conference meant dropping to one of the three feeder leagues below. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Three teams were relegated, with one going to the Northern Premier League, one to the Southern League and one to the Isthmian 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. History The league was founded in 1905 and was strongly dedicated to Amateurism. In turn, the champios of these three leagues would be promoted to the Conference. In 2004, a restructuring of the National Football Pyramid saw the creation of a new level immediately below the Football Conference; two regional divisions named Conference North and Conference South were created, with the feeder leagues dropping below them. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " There are two promotion places to the Conference National from each regional division - the champions are promoted automatically, while the remaining place is again decided by play-offs. The four teams relegated from the Conference National are then allocated to one or other of the regional divisions dependent on their geographical location.
Conference clubs, 2007-08
Teams in bold have played in The Football League. The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs
Notes
- 1 As a previous incarnation — Aldershot F.C.
- 2 As a previous incarnation. 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 Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. 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. Droylsden Football Club of Conference North are based in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, a few miles from FA Premier League side Manchester Ebbsfleet United Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Football Conference. 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 Forest Green Rovers FC is an English football team based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Farsley Celtic Association Football Club are an English football club based in Farsley, in the City of Leeds. 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, Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National. Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. 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. Stafford Rangers Football Club are a semi-professional English football team from Stafford who play in the Conference North. 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 York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. AFC Telford United are an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire, playing in the Conference North league at the Alfreton Town FC is an English Association football Club based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. Barrow AFC are a football team based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. Blyth Spartans AFC are a football club based at Croft Park in Blyth Northumberland, England, currently playing in the Conference North Boston United Football Club are a football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. Burscough FC is a football team from Burscough, Lancashire formed in 1946 and currently playing in the Conference North. Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough Lincolnshire. Harrogate Town FC is an English semi-professional football club from Harrogate North Yorkshire. Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North Hucknall Town FC are an English football team founded in 1945 and based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. Hyde United Football Club are a semi-professional team from Hyde Greater Manchester, England. Kettering Town Football Club is a football club based in Kettering. Redditch United FC, founded in 1891 as Redditch Town, are a British football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. Solihull Moors FC is an English Football club, founded in 2007 by the merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough. Southport Football Club are an English football club based in Southport, Merseyside. Stalybridge Celtic are an English Semi-professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England Tamworth Football Club are an English professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Vauxhall Motors Football Club is an English football club based at Rivacre Park Rivacre Road in Hooton, sandwiched between Eastham and Worcester City Football Club is an English football club from Worcester, England. Workington AFC are an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. Basingstoke Town Football Club are an English association football team based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, playing in the Bath City FC are a football club based in Bath, Somerset, currently playing in the Conference South. Bishop's Stortford FC is a football club based in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, currently members of the Conference South Bognor Regis Town FC is a football club based in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England. Braintree Town FC is a football club based in Braintree, Essex, England. Bromley Football Club are an English association football club based in the London Borough of Bromley, London, England. Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division. Dorchester Town Football Club play in the Conference South. They play at the Avenue Stadium in Dorchester Dorset, England, on land owned by the Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference National Eastleigh Football Club is a football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England. Fisher Athletic FC are a semi-professional football club from South East London, currently playing in the Conference South, which is one of the two leagues Hampton & Richmond Borough FC are a football club based in the Suburb of Hampton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London, Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English Association football team based at West Leigh Park in Havant, Hampshire. Hayes & Yeading United FC are an English football club based in Hayes. Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex currently playing in the Conference National. Maidenhead United Football Club are a football team in Maidenhead, Berkshire, United Kingdom. Newport County are a Welsh football team based in the city of Newport. St Albans City FC (nicknamed The Saints) is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. Sutton United Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Thurrock FC are a football club based in Aveley, Essex, England. Welling United Football Club are an English football club based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club (also known as The Seagulls) are an English semi-professional football club based in Weston-super-Mare Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club which went out of business in 1992.
Past Conference winners
| Season | Conference National champions | Playoff winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1979-80 | Altrincham | |
| 1980-81 | Altrincham | |
| 1981-82 | Runcorn | |
| 1982-83 | Enfield | |
| 1983-84 | Maidstone United | |
| 1984-85 | Wealdstone | |
| 1985-86 | Enfield | |
| 1986-87 | Scarborough* | |
| 1987-88 | Lincoln City* | |
| 1988-89 | Maidstone United* | |
| 1989-90 | Darlington* | |
| 1990-91 | Barnet* | |
| 1991-92 | Colchester United* | |
| 1992-93 | Wycombe Wanderers* | |
| 1993-94 | Kidderminster Harriers** | |
| 1994-95 | Macclesfield Town** | |
| 1995-96 | Stevenage Borough** | |
| 1996-97 | Macclesfield Town* | |
| 1997-98 | Halifax Town* | |
| 1998-99 | Cheltenham Town* | |
| 1999-00 | Kidderminster Harriers* | |
| 2000-01 | Rushden & Diamonds* | |
| 2001-02 | Boston United* | |
| 2002-03 | Yeovil Town* | Doncaster Rovers* (Match Report) |
| 2003-04 | Chester City* | Shrewsbury Town* (Match Report) |
| 2004-05 | Barnet* | Carlisle United* (Match Report) |
| 2005-06 | Accrington Stanley* | Hereford United* (Match Report) |
| 2006-07 | Dagenham & Redbridge* | Morecambe* (Match Report) |
| 2007-08 | Aldershot Town* | Exeter City* (Match Report) |
* Promoted to The Football League (Fourth Division until 1991, Third Division from 1992 until 2003 and League Two from 2004)
** Not promoted
| Season | Conference North champions | Playoff winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | Southport | Altrincham |
| 2005-06 | Northwich Victoria | Stafford Rangers |
| 2006-07 | Droylsden | Farsley Celtic |
| 2007-08 | Kettering Town | Barrow |
| Season | Conference South champions | Playoff winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | Grays Athletic | Eastbourne Borough |
| 2005-06 | Weymouth | St Albans City |
| 2006-07 | Histon | Salisbury City |
| 2007-08 | Lewes | Eastbourne Borough |
Former Conference clubs now in The Football League
| Club | Years in the Conference | Currently Play in (2008-09) |
|---|---|---|
| Accrington Stanley | 2003-2006 | League Two |
| Aldershot Town | 2003-2008 | League Two |
| Barnet | 1979-1991; 2001-2005 | League Two |
| Carlisle United | 2004-2005 | League One |
| Cheltenham Town | 1985-1992; 1997-1999 | League One |
| Chester City | 2000-2004 | League Two |
| Colchester United | 1990-1992 | League One |
| Dagenham & Redbridge | 1992-1996; 2000-2007 | League Two |
| Darlington | 1989-1990 | League Two |
| Doncaster Rovers | 1998-2003 | Championship |
| Exeter City | 2003-2008 | League Two |
| Hereford United | 1997-2006 | League One |
| Lincoln City | 1987-1988 | League Two |
| Macclesfield Town | 1987-1997 | League Two |
| Morecambe | 1995-2007 | League Two |
| Shrewsbury Town | 2003-2004 | League Two |
| Wycombe Wanderers | 1985-1986; 1987-1993 | League Two |
| Yeovil Town | 1979-1985; 1988-1995; 1997-2003 | League One |
Of the former Conference clubs now in the Football League, Colchester United and Doncaster Rovers are the most successful, the former having reached the Championship in 2006 14 years after being Conference champions with the latter earning promotion in 2008 a mere 5 years after winning promotion from the Conference. Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Runcorn FC Halton was an English football Club that played in Runcorn, Widnes and Prescot at various points during its Enfield (1893 FC (often known as Enfield 1893 and still just Enfield) is a football club formed in June 2007 after Enfield F Maidstone United Football Club are an English football team from Maidstone, Kent. Wealdstone Football Club is an English semi-professional Football club based in Ruislip, in the County of Middlesex. Enfield (1893 FC (often known as Enfield 1893 and still just Enfield) is a football club formed in June 2007 after Enfield F 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 Maidstone United Football Club are an English football team from Maidstone, Kent. Darlington Football Club (also known as Darlo or The Quakers) are an English football team based in the English town of Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Coca Cola Football 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 Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, currently playing in Football League Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. 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 Stevenage Borough FC are an English football team based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, currently playing in the Conference National 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 Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National. Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League One, the third tier of English football Kidderminster Harriers FC are an English Association football team based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Rushden & Diamonds FC is a professional football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Boston United Football Club are a football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. 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 The 2003 Football Conference Playoff Final took place on 10 May 2003 and was contested between Dagenham & Redbridge and Doncaster Rovers. 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 2003-04 Football Conference Playoff Final took place on 16 May 2004 and was contested between Aldershot Town and Shrewsbury Town. 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 2004-05 Conference National Playoff Final took place on 14 May 2005 and was contested between Stevenage Borough and Carlisle United. 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 2005-06 Conference National Playoff Final took place on 20 May 2006 and was contested between Halifax Town and Hereford United. 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. 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 The 2007-08 Blue Square Premier League Playoff Final took place on May 18, 2008 at Wembley Stadium, London. 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. From the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest 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 Southport Football Club are an English football club based in Southport, Merseyside. Altrincham Football Club is a football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Northwich Victoria Football Club is an English football club based in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire. Stafford Rangers Football Club are a semi-professional English football team from Stafford who play in the Conference North. Droylsden Football Club of Conference North are based in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, a few miles from FA Premier League side Manchester Farsley Celtic Association Football Club are an English football club based in Farsley, in the City of Leeds. Kettering Town Football Club is a football club based in Kettering. Barrow AFC are a football team based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. Grays Athletic Football Club are a football team from the south east of England, representing the town of Grays, Thurrock, Essex Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference National Weymouth FC, also known as "The Terras" are a Dorset -based English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the St Albans City FC (nicknamed The Saints) is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Salisbury City Football Club are an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex currently playing in the Conference National. Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference National Accrington Stanley Football Club is an English football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the north-west of England formed in 1968 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 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 Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League One, the third tier of English football Chester City Football Club is an English football club from Chester. 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 Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club is an English football team based in Dagenham, East London, currently playing in the Football League Darlington Football Club (also known as Darlo or The Quakers) are an English football team based in the English town of Doncaster Rovers Football Club (or informally Donny) are an English football club based at the Keepmoat Stadium in the town of Doncaster 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 Hereford United Football Club are an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Lincoln City FC are an English football team currently playing in Football League Two (the fourth tier of the English football league system 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 Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. Shrewsbury Town Football Club are an English football club currently playing in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, currently playing in Football League Yeovil Town FC is an English football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short or the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Colchester were relegated to League One in 2008. Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Coca-Cola Football League 1 for sponsorship reasons is the second-highest division of The Football
Yeovil Town are now in League One after they were promoted from the Conference in 2003, promoted again in 2005. Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Coca-Cola Football League 1 for sponsorship reasons is the second-highest division of The Football Hereford United were promoted to League One in 2008 as well. Accrington Stanley have yet to progress beyond the league's basement division, as have Barnet and Chester City - although they did progress to the third tier in their first Football League membership spells. Also Wycombe Wanderers, one of the former members of Conference, played in League One between 1994-2004
Both Dagenham and Redbridge and Morecambe reached the Football League for the first time in their history for the 2007/08 season. Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Coca-Cola Football League 1 for sponsorship reasons is the second-highest division of The Football The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs
Media Coverage
The Football Conference is currently available on Setanta Sports. Setanta Sports (sɛˈtantə is a sports broadcaster based in Ireland, operating 12 channels in 24 countries The channel shows 79 matches each season. It also shows the Conference Cup, now called the Setanta Shield.
References
See also
External links
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