The FA announced this afternoon the Club Allocations for Steps 5 & 6 which have been sanctioned by the Leagues Committee.
The new club allocations to the NWCFL are as follows.
Premier Division:
New Mills have been relegated from the Evo-Stik League Division One North.
Division One:
Carlisle City have been promoted from the Northern Football Alliance
Charnock Richard have been promoted from the West Lancashire League
FC Oswestry Town have been allocated to the NWCFL as a new club
Prestwich Heys have been promoted from the Manchester League
Sandbach United have been promoted from the Cheshire League
The NWCFL constitution for season 2016-17 as announced by the FA today is as follows.
Premier Division
1874 Northwich
Abbey Hey
AFC Darwen
AFC Liverpool
Ashton Athletic
Atherton Collieries
Barnoldswick Town
Barnton or Bacup Borough
Bootle
Cammell Laird 1907
Congleton Town
Hanley Town
Irlam
Maine Road
Nelson
New Mills
Padiham
Runcorn Linnets
Runcorn Town
Squires Gate
West Didsbury & Chorlton
Winsford United
Division One
AFC Blackpool
Alsager Town
Ashton Town
Atherton Labernum Rovers
Barnton or Bacup Borough
Carlisle City
Chadderton
Charnock Richard
Cheadle Town
Daisy Hill
Eccleshall
FC Oswestry Town
Holker Old Boys
Litherland REMYCA
Northwich Manchester Villa (now resigned from the NWCFL)
Prestwich Heys AFC
Sandbach United
Silsden
St Helens Town
Stockport Town
Whitchurch Alport
Widnes
The FA allocation list was drawn up before the resignation of Northwich Manchester Villa last night could be communicated to the FA.
It is the FA who will make the decision as to whether this vacancy is filled by another club, or if the NWCFL Division One will operate with 21 clubs next season.
Following a decision communicated to the League Management Committee by the FA Ground Grading Technical Panel on the 3rd May, we understand that Rochdale Town will be relegated to a Step 7 League for season 2016-17.
The FA communication stated the panel had considered the most recent reports in relation to the review of Step 6 clubs’ gradings, and decided that it was necessary to withdraw the grade previously awarded to Rochdale Town, who were now be regarded as ungraded.
The Club had the right of Appeal, which needed to be submitted to The FA Judicial Services Department within seven days from the date of the written decision, outlining the Grounds of Appeal in accordance with The Football Association’s appeal procedures.
No appeal was submitted, therefore the FA did not allocate Rochdale Town to the NWCFL Division One for season 2016-17.
City of Liverpool FC had also applied to join the NWCFL for season 2016-17, but the FA have allocated the club to the Liverpool County Premier League.
The NWCFL Management Committee have been notified by the club that they are considering an appeal against the decision.
