Provisional line-up for the 2022/23 Premier Division Central announced!
The provisional league allocations for 2022/23 have been published today by the FA National League Systems Alliance & Leagues Committees.
The allocations released today are subject to the FA's appeals process, ratification from the FA Council and final ratification at the various League AGM's in June.
The 2022/23 Southern League Premier Division Central Division shows five changes from the season just finished with the league now returning to a full complement of 22 clubs.
With Guiseley being the only side relegated from the National League North (with the National League North & South expanding to 24 teams) and Belper Town winning the NPL Division One Midlands play-offs, this has had the effect of moving the 'boundary' for the Southern League Premier Division Central a little further north up the A38/M42 corridor into South Derbyshire and Nottingham to compensate.
OUT
BANBURY UNITED - promoted as champions to step 2 - the National League North (TBC)
PETERBOROUGH SPORTS - promoted as play-off winners to step 2 - the National League North (TBC)
BIGGLESWADE TOWN - relegated to step 4 - Southern League Central Division
LOWESTOFT TOWN - relegated to step 4 - Isthmian League Division One North
We wish the departing clubs every success in their new divisions next season.
IN
KINGS LANGLEY - Lateral movement - return after one season in the Premier Division South.
BEDFORD TOWN - promoted as champions of the Southern League Central Division 2021/22
ILKESTON TOWN - promoted as champions of the NPL Division One Midlands 2021/22
BASFORD UNITED - Lateral movement - transferred across from the NPL Premier Division
MICKLEOVER FC - Lateral movement - transferred across from the NPL Premier Division.
We look forward to renewing acquaintances with each of these clubs next season!
With Ilkeston, Basford and Mickleover all having modern 3G pitches that will mean that eight teams in our division will have artificial pitches in 2022/23.
The full list of members for the 2022/23 Premier Division Central reads as follows -
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Alvechurch FC
Barwell FC
Basford United
Bedford Town
Bromsgrove Sporting
Coalville Town
Hednesford Town
Hitchin Town
Ilkeston Town
Kings Langley
Leiston FC
Mickleover FC
Needham Market
Nuneaton Borough
Redditch United
Royston Town
Rushall Olympic
St Ives Town
Stourbridge
Stratford Town
Tamworth
There was a train of thought that NORTH LEIGH (from near Witney in Oxfordshire) might be placed in our division after winning the Southern League Central Division play-offs, however they have been allocated to the Southern League Premier Division South at step 3 which largely caters to southern-based clubs to the west of London.
See also - https://southern-football-league.co.uk/News/131526/Club-Allocations-for-202223-
and
https://www.isthmian.co.uk/pitching-in-isthmian-league-allocations-2022-23-70658
and
https://www.thenpl.co.uk/club-allocations-for-202223-70659