According to http://www.thenon-leaguepaper.com Ilkeston Town are almost certain of coming in to the UniBond League next season, especially as it looks as if there'll be a couple of teams being relegated from the Conference to the Isthmian.

I hope they don't think they'll walk it - the last time I looked at the league table they were about 6 points off the drop zone.

I suppose it's somewhere new to go though. Although in Hyde's case, we might have 21 new places to go next season!

Tom

whats gonna happen if stalybridge come down??? will we have 24 in the premier? that seems at bit crazy maaaan!

bloody ilson. they see burton having fun and think that the NPL is an easy league. trouble is they forget that burton have been knocking on the door for ages.

sometimes its easier to beat teams you aren't too familiar with, plus splash the cash and away you go............

If Stalybridge do come down Ilkeston will have to remain in the Doc M's as there won't be room. Only if 3 Southern clubs are relegated from the Conference will the sideways move occur, like last season when Burton moved across.

So is the Premier Division resigned to having 23 clubs then? Seems like 3 Southern clubs coming down from the Conference and Burton going up is an ideal way to get things back to normal and get rid of annoying free Saturdays for one club every week. I would tell Ilkeston to get stuffed if I was on the management committee. Presumably they'll decide at the AGM, any date set for that yet? Some time in May I presume.

The only problem with that is that one of the Southern-based leagues would end up with 23. Perhaps the Unibond SHOULD have 24. More matches = more money.

Interesting idea, seems fine in principle although it would worsen the inevitable end of season fixture congestion when so many teams with crappy pitches are in the same division. Better than 23 though I would say. Any Prem division fans have anything to say about this?

Mind you with the forthcoming reorganisation (should it ever happen) the powers that be can just pick their favourite clubs to go into whatever structure they want, hopefully one which is a bit fairer to the North Midlands clubs than the present one.