The Football Association has announced the promotions, relegations, lateral movements within the National League System at Steps 2 through to 6, with clubs knowing (subject to appeals) what league they’re allocated to for the upcoming, 2025/26 season.

Worksop Town’s reward for winning the play-offs in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, is a spot in the National League North for the upcoming campaign, meanwhile, both Basford United (relegated) and Carlton Town (lateral movement) will take their place in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

Following relegation from the NPL Division One East, Sherwood Colliery are set to compete alongside half a dozen other, Notts-based clubs, in the United Counties League Premier North, whilst there is continued, local interest in the UCL Division One.

Across the two, UCL divisions, there’s some twenty clubs from across the county, both of which see newcomers making for interesting, intriguing clashes to come.

STEP TWO – NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH

As play-off winners, Worksop Town have been rewarded with a place in National League North for the upcoming season; also joining them in the division are that of AFC Fylde, AFC Telford United, Bedford Town, Macclesfield, Merthyr Town, and either Chester or Scunthorpe United.

STEP FOUR – NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE MIDLANDS

Both Basford United and Carlton Town will meet again this coming season, in the NPL Midlands Division, following the former’s relegation from the Premier Division (21st of 22 sides), and the latter having been laterally moved from the East Division, where they finished in seventh place.

In the upcoming season the two Notts clubs will pit themselves against that of AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Anstey Nomads, Bedworth United, Belper Town (lateral), Boldmere St Michaels, Bourne Town (promoted), Coleshill Town, Corby Town, Coventry Sphinx, Hinckley LR, Lichfield City (promoted), Long Eaton United, Loughborough Students, Mickleover (relegated), Racing Club Warwick, Rugby Borough (promoted), Shepshed Dynamo, St. Neots Town (promoted), Sutton Coldfield Town, and Wellingborough Town.

With eight newcomers to the Midlands Division, there’s certainly set to be a number of interesting matches in the season ahead for clubs, and their fans, to look out for.

STEP FIVE – UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER NORTH

Just seven, Notts-based clubs, will be present in the UCL Premier North in the season to come, one of those being Eastwood CFC, who lost out in the play-offs in the season just finished.

Alongside them will be Sherwood Colliery, relegated from the NPL East, as well as that of AFC Mansfield, Hucknall Town, Kimberley Miners Welfare, Newark & Sherwood United, and Newark Town; newcomers to the division for the 2025/26, alongside Sherwood Colliery, are relegated Grantham Town, and the promoted duo of Blackstones and Clay Cross Town.

STEP SIX – UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Some thirteen of the twenty-two clubs in UCL Division One are Notts-based with that of Clifton All Whites, Clipstone, Dunkirk, Gedling Miners Welfare, Radford, Rainworth Miners Welfare, Retford, Retford United, Sandiacre Town (reprieve), Shirebrook Town (relegated), Southwell City, Stapleford Town, and West Bridgford Colts all taking their place.

Alongside them are a handful of newcomers, Dronfield Town and Swallownest being laterally moved from the Northern Counties East League Division One, Notts Senior League champions FCV Grace Dieu, relegated Sleaford Town, and promoted South Normanton Athletic.

Overall, encompassing leagues within Steps Two – Six, there are some twenty-three, Notts-based clubs, and they, and supporters alike, now await the release of the fixtures for the new season.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Basfordutdfc Basford United will play in the NPL Midlands Division next season.