Step 4 and Step 5
The Clubs in the bottom two places in each of the seven divisions at Step 4 at the end of the
Regular Season will be relegated and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at
Step 5. These Clubs will be replaced by the fourteen Clubs finishing in first position in each of the
fourteen divisions at Step 5 at the end of the Regular Season.
With effect from the commencement of the 2019/2020 season the following with apply:
In addition, a series of Play Off Matches shall be played between the Clubs finishing in second
position in each of the Leagues at Step 5 at the end of the Regular Season. The ties shall be
decided by the Association pairing Clubs on the most suitable geographical basis. These
matches shall be played on a single match basis on the ground of the Club with the best points
per match ratio in the Regular Season. The winners of each of these seven matches shall play a
final Play Off Match against one of the Clubs finishing third from bottom of each Step 4 division at
the end of the Regular Season, such matches to be decided by the Association so that each Step
4 Club plays a Step 5 club, such matches to be on a single match basis on the home ground of
the Step 4 Club on cup tie terms with no percentage being paid to any Competition. The seven
winners shall play at Step 4 in the following season.
The Clubs promoted from Step 5 will be allocated to the most geographically appropriate division
at Step 4.
A Club promoted to Step 4 shall comply with the Licensing System provision as set out in
Appendix 1 to the Standardised Rules.
Step 5 and Step 6
The Clubs in the bottom two places in each of the fourteen divisions at Step 5 at the end of the
Regular Season will be relegated and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at
Step 6. These Clubs will be replaced by the nineteen Clubs finishing in first position in each of the
Leagues at Step 6 at the end of the Regular Season together with the required number of Clubs
finishing in second position at the end of the Regular Season on a points per match ratio. If there
are insufficient Clubs to fill vacancies Clubs finishing second to bottom of the Step 5 divisions will
be reprieved so that the best such Club shall be reprieved first.