Correspondence received yesterday from the FA Leagues Manager indicating that the Premier Division will need to continue with 19 CLUBS in season 2019-2020. This is due to the movement of clubs at STEP 5 following club appeals heard by FA Appeal Boards during the past TWO WEEKS which has left some competitions running with an over-subscribed number whilst others, like the UHL, needing to operate with only 19 as the maximum of 280 across the 14 Step 5 competitions is at the maximum number.
However, the scene is somewhat rosier in Division ONE for season 2019-2020. Since the original placements some weeks ago a lot has happened to the allocated clubs that were 29 in total. Many changes have happened following representation by UHL Chairman Bob Dalling and myself, including telephone calls to Estonia where one particular FA Officer was located with the England ‘C’ squad. Bob and I exerted as much pressure as we were able to possibly use to illicit changes in the numbers in Division One EAST and WEST.
Today we were advised that FOUR Clubs have been elevated to assist with vacancies in the UHL Step 6 Divisions which increases the total number of clubs to 34. This is only two clubs below the hoped for total number. The breakdown of the changes since initial Constitutions were issued last month have seen the following changes;
1. DIVISION ONE EAST (Original allocation – 15 Clubs). This was increased to 16 with a lateral internal move, agreed by the FA, of Kidlington from One West. Additionally in One East both LONG CRENDON & LANGLEY have been elevated from TWO EAST.
2. DIVISION ONE WEST (Original allocation – 14 Clubs). This was increased to 15 with a 2nd promotion from the Gloucestershire County League allowing STONEHOUSE TOWN to join One West. A lateral internal move, agreed by the FA, allowed Kidlington to cancel their FA appeal as they move to One East. Additionally in One West both MORETON RANGERS and BOURTON ROVERS have been elevated from TWO WEST to increase the membership to 16 Clubs.
A great deal of work has been undertaken by UHL Officers, FA staff and Council Members over the past two weeks to arrive at this stage and it is pleasing to see the end product which will enhance the UHL Divisions to a closer equality with other member competitions of Step 5 & 6. I am certain that all member club Officers and Management will be pleased with the outcome of that which the UHL Executive Officers have worked towards during the past weeks.
It is likely that both Long Crendon & Langley will now enter their 2nd teams into Division TWO. Now starts the difficult task of sorting the applicant clubs in Division Two into THREE Divisions such is the number of new applicants and re-entering clubs into Division TWO.