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English football league system

Updated: Wikipedia source

English football league system

The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in England, with five teams from Wales, one from Guernsey, one from Jersey and one from the Isle of Man also competing. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the theoretical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system, the Premier League. Below that are levels 2–4 organised by the English Football League, then the National League System from levels 5–10 administered by the FA, and thereafter Regional feeder leagues run by relevant county FAs on an ad hoc basis. The exact number of clubs varies from year to year as clubs join and leave leagues, merge, or fold altogether, but an estimated average of 15 clubs per division implies that more than 7,000 teams of nearly 5,300 clubs are members of a league in the English men's football league system. The pyramid for women's football in England runs separately into ten tiers. There are no official definitions of any level below 11 for men or below 10 for women. Any references to the structure at lower levels should not be regarded as definitive. Some England-based men's clubs play outside the English football league system.

Infobox

Country
England
Sport
Association football
Promotion and relegation
Yes
Federation
Football Association
Confederation
UEFA
Top division
Premier League
Second division
EFL Championship
Cup competition
EFL Cup FA Community Shield FA Cup

Tables

· The system
1
1
Level
1
Total clubs (1860)
20
League(s) / division(s)
Premier League 20 clubs – 3 relegations
2
2
Level
2
Total clubs (1860)
24
League(s) / division(s)
EFL Championship 24 clubs – 3 promotions, 3 relegations
3
3
Level
3
Total clubs (1860)
24
League(s) / division(s)
EFL League One 24 clubs – 3 promotions, 4 relegations
4
4
Level
4
Total clubs (1860)
24
League(s) / division(s)
EFL League Two 24 clubs – 4 promotions, 2 relegations
5 (Step 1)
5 (Step 1)
Level
5 (Step 1)
Total clubs (1860)
24
League(s) / division(s)
National League 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
6 (Step 2)
6 (Step 2)
Level
6 (Step 2)
Total clubs (1860)
48
League(s) / division(s)
National League North 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
League(s) / division(s)
National League South 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
7 (Step 3)
7 (Step 3)
Level
7 (Step 3)
Total clubs (1860)
88
League(s) / division(s)
Northern Premier League Premier Division 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
League(s) / division(s)
Southern League Premier Division Central 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
League(s) / division(s)
Southern League Premier Division South 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
League(s) / division(s)
Isthmian League Premier Division 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
8 (Step 4)
8 (Step 4)
Level
8 (Step 4)
Total clubs (1860)
176
League(s) / division(s)
Northern Premier League Division One East 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Northern Premier League Division One West 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Northern Premier League Division One Midlands 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Southern League Division One Central 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Southern League Division One South 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Isthmian League Division One South Central 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Isthmian League Division One North 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
League(s) / division(s)
Isthmian League Division One South East 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
9 (Step 5)
9 (Step 5)
Level
9 (Step 5)
Total clubs (1860)
321
League(s) / division(s)
Northern League Division One 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
Northern Counties East League Premier Division 21 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
North West Counties League Premier Division 24 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
Midland League Premier Division 18 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
United Counties League Premier Division North 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
United Counties League Premier Division South 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
Hellenic League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
Wessex League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
League(s) / division(s)
Western League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
10 (Step 6)
10 (Step 6)
Level
10 (Step 6)
Total clubs (1860)
339
League(s) / division(s)
Northern League Division Two – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Northern Counties East League League Division One – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r North West Counties League Division One North – 18 clubs — 2p, 0–3r North West Counties League Division One South – 19 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Midland League Division One – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r United Counties League Division One
League(s) / division(s)
Wessex League Division One – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Western League Division One – 20 clubs — 2p, 0–3r South West Peninsula League Premier Division East – 16 clubs — 1p, 0–3r South West Peninsula League Premier Division West – 16 clubs — 1p, 0–3r Combined Counties League Division One – 23 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Eastern Counties League Division One North
11 (Step 7 - Regional Feeder League)
11 (Step 7 - Regional Feeder League)
Level
11 (Step 7 - Regional Feeder League)
Total clubs (1860)
772
League(s) / division(s)
Anglian Combination Premier Division – 15 clubs Bedfordshire County League Premier Division – 15 clubs Cambridgeshire County League Premier Division – 16 clubs Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division North – 17 clubs Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division South – 18 clubs Cheshire League Premier Division – 16 clubs Devon Football Leag
Level
Total clubs (1860)
League(s) / division(s)
1
20
Premier League 20 clubs – 3 relegations
2
24
EFL Championship 24 clubs – 3 promotions, 3 relegations
3
24
EFL League One 24 clubs – 3 promotions, 4 relegations
4
24
EFL League Two 24 clubs – 4 promotions, 2 relegations
5 (Step 1)
24
National League 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
6 (Step 2)
48
National League North 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
National League South 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
7 (Step 3)
88
Northern Premier League Premier Division 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
Southern League Premier Division Central 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
Southern League Premier Division South 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
Isthmian League Premier Division 22 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
8 (Step 4)
176
Northern Premier League Division One East 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Northern Premier League Division One West 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Northern Premier League Division One Midlands 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Southern League Division One Central 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Southern League Division One South 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Isthmian League Division One South Central 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Isthmian League Division One North 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
Isthmian League Division One South East 22 clubs – 2p, 4r
9 (Step 5)
321
Northern League Division One 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
Northern Counties East League Premier Division 21 clubs — 2p, 2r
North West Counties League Premier Division 24 clubs — 2p, 2r
Midland League Premier Division 18 clubs — 2p, 2r
United Counties League Premier Division North 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
United Counties League Premier Division South 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
Hellenic League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
Wessex League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
Western League Premier Division 20 clubs — 2p, 2r
10 (Step 6)
339
Northern League Division Two – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Northern Counties East League League Division One – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r North West Counties League Division One North – 18 clubs — 2p, 0–3r North West Counties League Division One South – 19 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Midland League Division One – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r United Counties League Division One
Wessex League Division One – 22 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Western League Division One – 20 clubs — 2p, 0–3r South West Peninsula League Premier Division East – 16 clubs — 1p, 0–3r South West Peninsula League Premier Division West – 16 clubs — 1p, 0–3r Combined Counties League Division One – 23 clubs — 2p, 0–3r Eastern Counties League Division One North
11 (Step 7 - Regional Feeder League)
772
Anglian Combination Premier Division – 15 clubs Bedfordshire County League Premier Division – 15 clubs Cambridgeshire County League Premier Division – 16 clubs Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division North – 17 clubs Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division South – 18 clubs Cheshire League Premier Division – 16 clubs Devon Football Leag
· The system
12
12
Level
12
Total clubs (4231)
869
League(s) / division(s)
Anglian Combination Division One – 16 clubs Aylesbury and District League Premier Division – 9 clubs Bedfordshire County League Division One – 13 clubs Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division – 13 clubs Bristol & Suburban League Premier Division – 12 clubs Cambridgeshire County League Senior A Division – 10 clubs Central Midlands Allianc
13
13
Level
13
Total clubs (4231)
778
League(s) / division(s)
Anglian Combination Division Two – 15 clubs Aylesbury and District League Division One – 13 clubs Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA Premier Division – 9 clubs Basingstoke and District League Saturday League Division One – 7 clubs Basingstoke and District League Sunday League Division One Beckett Football League Division One – 9 clubs Bedfor
14
14
Level
14
Total clubs (4231)
737
League(s) / division(s)
Anglian Combination Division Three North – 14 clubs Anglian Combination Division Three South – 15 clubs Aylesbury and District League Division Two – 13 clubs Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA Division One – 9 clubs Basingstoke and District League Sunday League Division Two Beckett Football League Division Two – 12 clubs Bedfordshire County
15
15
Level
15
Total clubs (4231)
695
League(s) / division(s)
Anglian Combination Division Four North – 13 clubs Anglian Combination Division Four South – 12 clubs Ashford & District League Premier Division – 7 clubs Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA Division Two – 9 clubs Basingstoke and District League Sunday League Division Three Bedfordshire County League Division Four – 14 clubs Bristol and Distr
16
16
Level
16
Total clubs (4231)
470
League(s) / division(s)
Ashford & District League Division One – 9 clubs Bristol and District League Division Two – 11 clubs Bristol and Suburban Association Football League Division Three – 10 clubs Bromley & South London District League Division One – 9 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Division Three A – 13 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Div
17
17
Level
17
Total clubs (4231)
394
League(s) / division(s)
Bristol and District League Division Three – 8 clubs Bristol and Suburban Association Football League Division Four – 10 clubs Bromley & South London District League Division Two – 9 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Division Four A – 12 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Division Four B – 12 clubs Cambridgeshire County Foot
18
18
Level
18
Total clubs (4231)
200
League(s) / division(s)
Bristol and District League Division Four – 10 clubs Bromley & South London District League Division Three – 9 clubs Central and South Norfolk League Division Two – 11 clubs Devon and Exeter Football League Division Six – 12 clubs Dorset Football League Division Six – 10 clubs East Riding County League Division Five – 12 clubs Huddersfield an
19
19
Level
19
Total clubs (4231)
65
League(s) / division(s)
Central and South Norfolk League Division Three – 11 clubs Devon and Exeter Football League Division Seven – 11 clubs Huddersfield and District Association Football League Division Five – 8 clubs Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League Division B – 12 clubs Yorkshire Amateur Football League Division Six – 11 clubs
20
20
Level
20
Total clubs (4231)
23
League(s) / division(s)
Devon and Exeter Football League Division Eight – 12 clubs Yorkshire Amateur League Division Seven - 12 clubs
Level
Total clubs (4231)
League(s) / division(s)
12
869
Anglian Combination Division One – 16 clubs Aylesbury and District League Premier Division – 9 clubs Bedfordshire County League Division One – 13 clubs Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division – 13 clubs Bristol & Suburban League Premier Division – 12 clubs Cambridgeshire County League Senior A Division – 10 clubs Central Midlands Allianc
13
778
Anglian Combination Division Two – 15 clubs Aylesbury and District League Division One – 13 clubs Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA Premier Division – 9 clubs Basingstoke and District League Saturday League Division One – 7 clubs Basingstoke and District League Sunday League Division One Beckett Football League Division One – 9 clubs Bedfor
14
737
Anglian Combination Division Three North – 14 clubs Anglian Combination Division Three South – 15 clubs Aylesbury and District League Division Two – 13 clubs Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA Division One – 9 clubs Basingstoke and District League Sunday League Division Two Beckett Football League Division Two – 12 clubs Bedfordshire County
15
695
Anglian Combination Division Four North – 13 clubs Anglian Combination Division Four South – 12 clubs Ashford & District League Premier Division – 7 clubs Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA Division Two – 9 clubs Basingstoke and District League Sunday League Division Three Bedfordshire County League Division Four – 14 clubs Bristol and Distr
16
470
Ashford & District League Division One – 9 clubs Bristol and District League Division Two – 11 clubs Bristol and Suburban Association Football League Division Three – 10 clubs Bromley & South London District League Division One – 9 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Division Three A – 13 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Div
17
394
Bristol and District League Division Three – 8 clubs Bristol and Suburban Association Football League Division Four – 10 clubs Bromley & South London District League Division Two – 9 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Division Four A – 12 clubs Cambridgeshire County Football League Division Four B – 12 clubs Cambridgeshire County Foot
18
200
Bristol and District League Division Four – 10 clubs Bromley & South London District League Division Three – 9 clubs Central and South Norfolk League Division Two – 11 clubs Devon and Exeter Football League Division Six – 12 clubs Dorset Football League Division Six – 10 clubs East Riding County League Division Five – 12 clubs Huddersfield an
19
65
Central and South Norfolk League Division Three – 11 clubs Devon and Exeter Football League Division Seven – 11 clubs Huddersfield and District Association Football League Division Five – 8 clubs Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League Division B – 12 clubs Yorkshire Amateur Football League Division Six – 11 clubs
20
23
Devon and Exeter Football League Division Eight – 12 clubs Yorkshire Amateur League Division Seven - 12 clubs

References

  1. Promotion to either the National League North or National League South is based on geographic factors.
  2. bbc
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37440689
  3. bbc
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37996768
  4. thepyramid
    http://www.thepyramid.info/
  5. The Football Association
    https://www.thefa.com/get-involved/player/the-national-league-system
  6. "Premier League and National League announce National League Cup"
    https://www.premierleague.com/news/4121350
  7. "Step 5 to 4 promotion/relegation update"
    https://www.thefa.com/news/2023/mar/17/step-5-to-4-update
Image
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