2010–11 Football Conference
Encyclopedia
The 2010–11 Football Conference season was the seventh season with the Conference
consisting of three divisions and the thirty-second season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football
in England
. The Conference National
is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, whilst the Conference North
and Conference South
exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the playoff of the National division were promoted to Football League Two
, while the bottom four were relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions were promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions were relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League
, Isthmian League
or Southern League
.
For sponsorship reasons, the Conference National is referred to as the Blue Square Bet Premier.
, two promoted from the Conference North and two promoted from the Conference South.
Teams promoted from Conference South 2009–10
Teams relegated from Football League Two 2009-10
----
Luton Town won 5 – 1 on aggregate.
----
Teams promoted from Southern Football League Premier Division 2009–10
Teams transferred from Conference South 2009–10
----
Guiseley 3 – 3 Boston United on aggregate. Guiseley won 3 – 2 on penalties.
----
Teams promoted from Southern League Premier Division 2009–10
Teams relegated from Conference National 2009–10
----
Ebbsfleet United won 6 – 2 on aggregate.
----
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
consisting of three divisions and the thirty-second season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, whilst the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
and Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the playoff of the National division were promoted to Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, while the bottom four were relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions were promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions were relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
, Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
or Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
.
For sponsorship reasons, the Conference National is referred to as the Blue Square Bet Premier.
Conference National
A total of 24 teams will contest the division, including 18 sides from last season, two relegated from the Football League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, two promoted from the Conference North and two promoted from the Conference South.
Promotion and relegation
Teams promoted from Conference North 2009–10- SouthportSouthport F.C.Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
- Fleetwood TownFleetwood Town F.C.Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
Teams promoted from Conference South 2009–10
- Newport CountyNewport County A.F.C.Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
- Bath CityBath City F.C.Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
Teams relegated from Football League Two 2009-10
- Darlington
- Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
League table
Playoffs
Semifinals
AFC Wimbledon won 8 – 1 on aggregate.----
Luton Town won 5 – 1 on aggregate.
----
Final
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| The Darlington Arena The Darlington Arena The Darlington Arena is a football stadium in England that hosts Darlington Football Club's home fixtures.-History:... |
25,294 | |
| Racecourse Ground Racecourse Ground The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League... |
15,550 | |
| Gateshead International Stadium Gateshead International Stadium Gateshead International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England. The stadium is primarily set up for athletics, with a running track, but it is home to Gateshead Thunder rugby league club, Gateshead Senators American Football and Gateshead FC. It has also held a... |
11,800 | |
| Kenilworth Road Kenilworth Road Kenilworth Road Stadium is a football stadium in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. It has been home to Luton Town Football Club since 1905, when financial complications forced the club to leave its previous location at Dunstable Road... |
10,226 | |
| Field Mill Field Mill Field Mill is a multi-use stadium in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.It is currently occupied by its main tenant, Mansfield Town.The stadium has a capacity of around 10,000 when fully open, but due to the Bishop Street Stand being closed and safety restrictions, the ground currently holds less... |
10,000 | |
| Abbey Stadium Abbey Stadium The Abbey Stadium, known as R Costings Abbey Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is a football stadium in Cambridge, England. It has been the home ground of Cambridge United F.C. since 1932, and currently has a maximum capacity of 9,617 spectators... |
9,617 | |
| Blundell Park Blundell Park Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late... |
9,546 | |
| Bootham Crescent | 9,196 | |
| Twerton Park Twerton Park Twerton Park is a multi-purpose stadium in the Twerton suburb of Bath, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Bath City. From 1986 to 1996 Bristol Rovers played there due to financial problems... |
8,800 | |
| Church Road | 6,500 | |
| Nene Park Nene Park Nene Park is a football stadium situated by Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England, along the bank of the River Nene, and holds 6,441, with 4,641 seated and 1,800 standing. The car park can hold 800 vehicles. From 1992 until 2011 it was the home ground of Rushden & Diamonds football club... |
6,441 | |
| Aggborough | 6,238 | |
| Rockingham Road Rockingham Road Rockingham Road, known as the Elgoods Brewery Arena for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. It was home to Kettering Town F.C. until 2011, who play in the Conference National.... |
6,170 | |
| Moss Lane Moss Lane Moss Lane is a multi-purpose stadium in Altrincham, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Altrincham and Manchester United Reserves... |
6,085 | |
| Haig Avenue Haig Avenue Haig Avenue is a football stadium in Southport, England and is the home ground of Southport F.C.-Location:The ground is situated to the east of Southport just off the A570, the main road to Ormskirk... |
6,008 | |
| Highbury Stadium Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Highbury Stadium is a football stadium in Fleetwood, Lancashire, England with Wyre Borough Council as the landlords. It is the home ground of Fleetwood Town and is also used for home matches by Blackpool F.C. reserves. As of the opening of the new Parkside Stand on 16 April 2011, the ground has a... |
5,500 | |
| The New Lawn | 5,147 | |
| Broadfield Stadium Broadfield Stadium Broadfield Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Crawley, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Crawley Town F.C.. The stadium has a capacity of 4,996 people, and is owned by Crawley Borough Council.-West Stand:... |
4,996 | |
| Kingsmeadow | 4,720 | |
| Newport Stadium Newport Stadium Newport Stadium is a football and athletics stadium in Newport, Wales. It is currently the home of Newport County A.F.C., Llanwern F.C. and Newport Harriers Athletic Club. Albion Rovers F.C... |
4,700 | |
| Holker Street Holker Street Holker Street, also known as the Furness Building Society Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a sports stadium located in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. Currently and originally used as a football ground, it has also previously been used for speedways races... |
4,256 | |
| Priory Lane | 4,134 | |
| The Lamb Ground The Lamb Ground The Lamb Ground is a football stadium in the district of Kettlebrook, in Tamworth, England and the home of Tamworth F.C. It is approximately half a mile south of Tamworth railway station.-History:... |
4,000 | |
| Bridge Road | 3,800 |
Results
Conference North
A total of 22 teams contested the division, including 18 sides who competed in the 2009–10 season, one transferred from the Conference South and three promoted from the lower leagues.Promotion and relegation
Teams promoted from Northern Premier League 2009–10- GuiseleyGuiseley A.F.C.Guiseley A.F.C. are an English football club from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, England.-History:Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League...
- Boston UnitedBoston United F.C.Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
Teams promoted from Southern Football League Premier Division 2009–10
- Nuneaton Town
Teams transferred from Conference South 2009–10
- Worcester CityWorcester City F.C.Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
League table
Playoffs
Semifinals
AFC Telford won 3 – 2 on aggregate.----
Guiseley 3 – 3 Boston United on aggregate. Guiseley won 3 – 2 on penalties.
----
Final
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Whaddon Road Whaddon Road Whaddon Road is a football stadium in Cheltenham, England. It is the home ground of Cheltenham Town F.C. and shared with Gloucester City A.F.C.. It has a total capacity of 7,066, with a mixture of seating and terracing... (Groundshare) |
7,066 | |
| York Street York Street York Street, currently styled as The Jakemans Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Boston, England, and is the home ground of Boston United. Originally called Shodfriars Lane, football has been played on the site since the late 19th century by a variety of Boston teams, but... |
6,643 | |
| Bower Fold Bower Fold Bower Fold is a football stadium in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, England and is the home ground of Stalybridge Celtic. The stadium is notable for being the only active ground in the country where the pitch faces a perfect north alignment, an honour the club shared with Chesterfield F.C. until... |
6,500 | |
| New Bucks Head New Bucks Head New Bucks Head is a stadium in Telford, England and the home of Conference National football club A.F.C. Telford United. It was originally built for Telford United to play at before they went bankrupt. The stadium is on the same site as the original Bucks Head, which had been home to Telford... |
6,300 | |
| Coronation Park Coronation Park Coronation Park is a multi-use stadium in Sunyani, Ghana, capable of holding 10,000 people. It is used mostly for football matches, and is the home stadium of Bofoakwa Tano, Bechem Chelsea and Brong-Ahafo United.... |
5,000 | |
| The Valley | 5,000 | |
| St George's Lane | 4,749 | |
| Croft Park Croft Park Croft Park is a football stadium in Blyth, Northumberland. It is home to Blyth Spartans A.F.C., who play in the Blue Square Conference North. It was opened by Mrs Clarke of Bellister Castle, Haltwhistle on 1 September 1909.... |
4,450 | |
| Liberty Way Liberty Way Liberty Way is a multi-use sports stadium in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, which is owned by Nuneaton Town F.C. but is also used by Nuneaton R.F.C., which rents the stadium from the football club... |
4,350 | |
| De Montfort Park De Montfort Park De Montfort Park is the home of Hinckley United, an English football club from Hinckley, Leicestershire. The club currently plays in the Conference North.... |
4,329 | |
| The Northolme The Northolme The Northolme is a multi-use stadium in Gainsborough, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Gainsborough Trinity F.C.... |
4,304 | |
| Ewen Fields Ewen Fields Ewen Fields is a multi-use stadium in Tameside, England. It is the home ground of Hyde F.C. and Manchester City Reserves and has also in the past hosted Manchester United F.C. Reserves, Stockport County Reserves and Oldham Curzon Ladies. It is currently used for football... |
4,250 | |
| Marston Road Marston Road (Stafford) Marston Road is a football ground in Stafford, England. It is the home ground of Stafford Rangers F.C., a semi-professional team who play in the Conference North league.-Ground history:Stafford Rangers have played at Marston Road for over 110 years... |
4,150 | |
| North Street North Street (stadium) North Street also known as the Impact Arena is a football stadium in Alfreton, Derbyshire. It is the home of Alfreton Town F.C. who currently play in the Conference National. Capacity is 3,600 with 1,500 seats.... |
3,600 | |
| New Manor Ground | 3,500 | |
| Wetherby Road | 3,300 | |
| Borough Park Borough Park (Workington) Borough Park is a stadium in Workington, England. It is home to Workington A.F.C., once members of the Football League, they now play in Conference North, Capacity is 2,500, with around 300 seats. The stadium opened in 1937.- References :... |
3,101 | |
| Damson Park Damson Park Damson Park is a stadium in Damson Parkway, Solihull, West Midlands, England. It was the traditional home of Solihull Borough F.C. before they merged to become Solihull Moors. They currently share Damson Park with Birmingham and Solihull Bees and also have an agreement that allows Birmingham City... |
3,050 | |
| Rockingham Triangle | 3,000 | |
| Butcher's Arms Ground Butcher's Arms Ground Butcher's Arms Ground is a multi-use stadium in Droylsden, Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Droylsden F.C.. The stadium has a capacity of 3,500 people both seated and standing and is nicknamed "The Slaughterhouse" or... |
3,000 | |
| Nethermoor Park | 3,000 | |
| Rivacre Park | 2,500 |
Results
Conference South
A total of 22 teams contested the division, including 18 previously competing sides, one relegated from the Conference National and three promoted from the lower leagues.Promotion and relegation
Teams promoted from Isthmian League Premier Division 2009–102009–10 Isthmian League
The 2009–10 season was the 104th season of the Isthmian League Premier Division and the 4th season for the current incarnations of the Division One North and Division One South.-Premier Division:The Premier Division featured five new clubs:...
- DartfordDartford F.C.Dartford F.C. are an English football club based in Dartford, Kent. After finishing as champions of the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season, they compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They finished in 8th position in their first season...
- Boreham WoodBoreham Wood F.C.Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South...
Teams promoted from Southern League Premier Division 2009–10
2009–10 Southern Football League
The 2009-10 season was the 106th in the history of the Southern League.-Premier Division:The Premier Division featured five new clubs:*Didcot Town, promoted from Division One South & West*Hednesford Town, transferred from Northern Premier League...
- Farnborough
Teams relegated from Conference National 2009–10
- Ebbsfleet United
League table
Playoffs
Semifinals
Farnborough won 2 – 1 on aggregate.----
Ebbsfleet United won 6 – 2 on aggregate.
----
Final
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Crabble Stadium Crabble Stadium Crabble Athletic Ground is a football stadium located in the northern Dover suburb of River, Kent, England. It was the home of the various incarnations of Dover F.C. from 1931 until the club folded in 1983... |
6,500 | |
| Kingfield Stadium Kingfield Stadium Kingfield Stadium is the home of Woking F.C.. It is situated in the Kingfield area of Woking, Surrey. The stadium has a capacity of 6,036 of which 2,500 are seated. The main stand, called the Leslie Gosden Stand, is much higher than the rest of the ground and towers above the other stands. The... |
6,036 | |
| The Camrose | 6,000 | |
| West Leigh Park | 5,250 | |
| Stonebridge Road Stonebridge Road Stonebridge Road is a multi-purpose stadium in Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, England, which is primarily used for football matches. Stonebridge Road was constructed in 1905, and was initially the home of Northfleet F.C., which merged with Gravesend F.C. in 1946. It is currently the home ground of... |
5,011 | |
| Avenue Stadium Avenue Stadium The Avenue Stadium is a football stadium in Dorchester, England and is home of Dorchester Town F.C..-History:Located to the south of Dorchester on Weymouth Avenue , the ground was opened in 1990, having cost £3,000,000 to build. The stadium was designed and is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall... |
5,009 | |
| Courage Stadium | 5,000 | |
| Meadow Park Meadow Park (Borehamwood) Meadow Park is a football ground, located in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England. It is the home of Boreham Wood of the Conference South division, Arsenal Ladies of the FA Women's Premier League, and Watford Reserves of the Football Combination East division. The stadium has a capacity of 4,502... |
4,502 | |
| Clarence Park Clarence Park (St Albans) Clarence Park is a park containing a multi-use stadium in St Albans, England. It is located close to St Albans City railway station.The park was laid out in early 1894, and comprises a municipal sports ground and a public park and pleasure ground... |
4,500 | |
| Park View Road Park View Road Park View Road is home to Conference South semi-professional football club Welling United, and was the ground of their predecessors Bexley United. Welling have played there since 1977... |
4,500 | |
| Cressing Road Cressing Road Cressing Road, also known as the Amlin Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Braintree, Essex and the home ground of Braintree Town. It currently has a capacity of 4,151.-History:... |
4,145 | |
| Princes Park Princes Park, Dartford Princes Park is a football stadium in Dartford, Kent, England. It is the home of Dartford F.C., Millwall F.C. reserves and Dartford Roadrunners. The stadium's postcode is DA1 1RT, the closest possible representation of the word "Dart". DA1 1FC was unobtainable, as the letter C is not allocated for... |
4,100 | |
| Woodside Park | 4,000 | |
| Cherrywood Road Cherrywood Road The Rushmoor Stadium is the ground of Farnborough F.C. and the former home of Farnborough Town F.C. before the club went out of business in 2007. It lies in the town of Farnborough, Hampshire. The capacity of the ground was 4,200, with 627 seats... |
4,000 | |
| Ship Lane | 3,500 | |
| Woodspring Stadium | 3,500 | |
| Melbourne Stadium | 3,000 | |
| Silverlake Stadium | 3,000 | |
| Beveree Stadium | 3,000 | |
| The Dripping Pan The Dripping Pan The Dripping Pan is a football stadium in Lewes, England. It has been home to Lewes F.C. since their incarnation in 1885. It had previously been used by Lewes Priory Cricket Club, though the ground itself had been used by the people of Lewes as a centre for recreation as far back as records exist,... |
3,000 | |
| York Road | 3,000 | |
| Wheatsheaf Park | 3,000 |