The Football Association has today announced the makeup of divisions for Steps 1-6 of the National League System.
The Stutes shall once again compete in the United Counties League, Premier Division South at Step 5 as had been expected. As previously announced for the 2023/24 season play-offs are set to be introduced for all clubs finishing between 2nd and 5th place in each of the 16 Step 5 divisions nationwide.
Subject to any appeals, the league shall consist of the following teams:
Aylestone Park
Bugbrooke St Michaels
Cogenhoe United
Coventry United
Daventry Town
Desborough Town
Easington Sports
Eynesbury Rovers
GNG Oadby Town
Godmanchester Rovers
HISTON
Leicester Nirvana
Lutterworth Town
March Town United
Newport Pagnell Town
Racing Club Warwick
Rugby Borough
St Neots Town
Welligborough Town
Yaxley
The Stutes will lock horns with four sides that we have not faced before, Aylestone Park, Leicester Nirvana, Racing Club Warwick and Rugby Borough.
Aylestone Park enter the league on the back of a fine title winning season in the UCL 1 where the Leicester based club amassed 95 points whilst tasting defeat just 5 times. Also joining us is Leicester Nirvana who have been laterally moved from the UCL Premier North. Last season they finished in 15th place, 11 points from the drop zone on 32 points. The third side that we have not yet paid a visit to is Racing Club Warwick, they also make a sideways movement coming from the Midland Football League. Last term they finished 15 points behind champions Walsall Wood in 5th position, having gained 70 points. Our final new face comes in the shape of Rugby Borough. Promotion was gained from the Spartan South Midlands League, Division One via the play-offs. A staggering 129 goals were scored by the Warwickshire side who finished the regular season in 3rd place.
Re-joining the UCL after relegation from Step 4 are Daventry Town, Yaxley and St Neots Town all of whom we have faced in more recent times during our brief stay in the Northern Premier League, Midlands Division. Daventry and Yaxley filled the bottom two spots, whilst The Saints went through the ordeal of the hastily arranged Step 4 play-off tie.
