THE FA have announced a new ruling on Step 6 clubs, meaning they won’t be relegated if they fail the required ground grading criteria by March 31.
A Step 6 ground grading review was discussed at a recent FA Leagues Committee meeting and the results revealed that only 47 per cent of Step 6 clubs across the country currently meet the Grade G requirements.
The committee recognised that a number of clubs would have believed they met the Grade G requirements until a recent review and agreed the following points:-
- Clubs that fail to meet the required grading requirements as at 31 March 2016 will retain their position at Step 6 going forward.
- Leagues with failed clubs must pass a resolution at their next and subsequent AGMs, confirming the agreement of their member clubs to accept clubs without the appropriate grading into the constitution for the ensuing season.
- When a league achieves full membership (number to be agreed), clubs that fail to meet the required grading criteria will then become subject to relegation.
- The criteria for promotion from Step 7 to Step 6 remains as at present.
- Clubs without the appropriate Step 6 grading will not be permitted to enter FA competitions.
- Clubs without the appropriate Step 6 grading will not be permitted to gain promotion to Step 5 (i.e NWCFL Premier Division).
- Clubs without the appropriate Step 6 grading will not be permitted to seek a lateral Step 6 movement to another competition.
Step 6 leagues will not be allowed to accept any additional clubs that do not meet the appropriate ground grading criteria for Step 6.
Moved the goalposts AGAIN!