The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Trek wrote:

(This says last updated 21/4/2017 think that should be 2018)


The latest projections for Step 3 next season has four teams from our division, not sure how they get that. Diamonds in Central and Beaconsfield, Hayes and Hartley in the Southern East.

Also it is possible that Leiston could be at Step 2 if they won their play offs and that Bedworth if they won their play offs would certainly have to join us in the Central. So not all settled yet.

Are Hyde with 89 points from 41 games not about safe for the 3rd place with best points per game. It is possible for 4 from our league through the playoff loosing side with best points per game ratio, that is one the league should never have released in advance. The possibility of a team who finished 3rd going into playoff final knowing regardless of result they are up, but should they loose the other team from their league can get promoted with them.

Yes the guy on NLM has assumed that both the playoff final contenders from our division will get promoted as it stands at 21st April, currently HW and H&Y, one will be the winner of the Playoff final and the other is the best PPG as the 20th team to replace Thurrock who are folding.

No matter how many times and how slow I read this it’s getting more complicated by the day.. how can non league be so head scratching

corby diamond wrote: ↑Mon Apr 23, 2018 5:39 pm ...... how can non league be so head scratching

Yes it can seem confusing but it is just about trying to include a completely new league called the Central Football League Premier of 22 clubs at Step 3 level and is further complicated by one club, Thurrock, who have announced that they are folding. It will sort itself out after all the Step 4 play offs have been concluded provided no further clubs fold in the meantime. League placements will be formally approved by the FA in mid June.