2011–12 Football Conference
Encyclopedia
The 2011–12 Football Conference season will be the eighth season with the Conference
consisting of three divisions and the thirty-third 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 will be promoted to Football League Two
, while the bottom four are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are 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 2010–11 Conference South
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Football League Two
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Conference National
Teams transferred from 2010–11 Conference South
Teams promoted from 2010–11 Southern League Premier Division
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Conference National
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-third 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 will be 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 are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are 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 2010–11 Conference North- Alfreton TownAlfreton Town F.C.Alfreton Town F.C. is an English football club based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. The club was reformed after a merger between Alfreton Miners Welfare and Alfreton United in 1959...
- AFC Telford UnitedA.F.C. Telford UnitedA.F.C. Telford United are an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire, playing in the Conference National league at the fifth level of the English football pyramid. The club plays its home matches in Wellington, which forms part of the new town of Telford...
Teams promoted from 2010–11 Conference South
- Braintree TownBraintree Town F.C.Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...
- Ebbsfleet United
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Football League Two
2010–11 Football League Two
The 2010–11 Football League Two season, , was the lowest division of the Football League for that season...
- Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
- Lincoln CityLincoln City F.C.Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
League table
Playoffs
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 | |
| Edgeley Park Edgeley Park Edgeley Park is an association football and rugby union stadium in Stockport, England. The stadium was initially built for the rugby league club Stockport in 1901, but by 1902, the rugby club was defunct and in the same year, Stockport County Football Club, who were looking for a bigger ground,... |
10,852 | |
| 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 | |
| Sincil Bank Sincil Bank Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The... |
10,120 | |
| 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 | |
| Cambridge United Cambridge United F.C. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Aggborough | 6,238 | |
| 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... (Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... ground share) |
6,036 | |
| 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 | |
| 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... |
5,058 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Cressing Road | 4,145 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Results
Conference North
A total of 22 teams will contest the division, including 17 sides who competed in the 2010–11 season, one transferred from the Conference South, two relegated from the Conference National and two promoted from the Northern Premier League.Promotion and relegation
Teams promoted from 2010–11 Northern Premier League Premier Division2010–11 Northern Premier League
The 2010–11 season was the 43rd season of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and the fourth season of the Northern Premier League Division One North and South....
- F.C. Halifax TownF.C. Halifax TownFootball Club Halifax Town, otherwise known as FC Halifax Town are an English football team who currently play in the Conference North. The club replaced Halifax Town A.F.C. who went into administration during the 2007–08 season.-Formation:...
- Colwyn BayColwyn Bay F.C.Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:...
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Conference National
- AltrinchamAltrincham F.C.Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
- HistonHiston F.C.Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
Teams transferred from 2010–11 Conference South
- Bishop's StortfordBishop's Stortford F.C.Bishop's Stortford F.C. is an English football club based in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at Woodside Park.-History:The club was established in 1874...
League table
Playoffs
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| The Shay The Shay The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay.... |
10,061 | |
| 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 with Cheltenham Town Cheltenham Town F.C. Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more... ) |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Woodside Park | 4,000 | |
| Steel Park | 3,893 | |
| Bridge Road | 3,800 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Llanelian Road | 2,500 | |
| Rivacre Park | 2,500 |
Results
Conference South
A total of 22 teams will contest the division, including 17 previously competing sides, one relegated from the Conference National and four promoted from the lower leagues.Promotion and relegation
Teams promoted from 2010–11 Isthmian League Premier Division2010–11 Isthmian League
The 2010–11 season is the 105th season of the Isthmian League Premier Division and the 5th season for the current incarnations of the Division One North and Division One South...
- Sutton UnitedSutton United F.C.Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane....
- Tonbridge AngelsTonbridge Angels F.C.Tonbridge Angels Football Club is an English football club who play at Longmead Stadium in Tonbridge, Kent, since moving from the Angel Ground in 1980....
Teams promoted from 2010–11 Southern League Premier Division
2010–11 Southern Football League
-Premier Division:The Premier Division features five new clubs for the 2010–11 season:*Chesham United, promoted from Division One Midlands*Cirencester Town, promoted from Division One South & West...
- Truro CityTruro City F.C.Truro City F.C. are an English professional football club based in Truro, Cornwall. They currently play in the Conference South following five promotions in six seasons. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title five times in their history...
- Salisbury CitySalisbury City F.C.Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Conference National
- Eastbourne BoroughEastbourne Borough F.C.Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
League table
Playoffs
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Borough Sports Ground Borough Sports Ground The Borough Sports Ground is the home of Sutton United F.C.. It is also known as Gander Green Lane or simply GGL because of its location on that road... |
7,032 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Priory Lane | 4,134 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Raymond McEnhill Stadium Raymond McEnhill Stadium The Raymond McEnhill Stadium is a purpose built 5,000 capacity football stadium in Salisbury, Wiltshire. It is the home of Salisbury City, who in the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference South.-History:... |
3,500 | |
| Ship Lane | 3,500 | |
| Treyew Road | 3,500 | |
| Woodspring Stadium | 3,500 | |
| Melbourne Stadium | 3,000 | |
| Silverlake Stadium | 3,000 | |
| Beveree Stadium | 3,000 | |
| York Road | 3,000 | |
| Wheatsheaf Park | 3,000 | |
| Longmead Stadium | 3,000 |