Everything We do is for the Clubs, Cries NPL Chief Harris

NORTHERN PREMIER League chairman Mark Harris believes the upcoming restructuring at both Step 3 and 4 is natural evolution for the National League System.

- Matt Badcock

The NLP revealed last month that the Football Association’s plans to add a new division at both Step 3 and 4 are set to be introduced for the 2018-19 season.

The governing body’s aim is to reduce travelling costs and times, as well as create a better flow in the Pyramid.

Ownership and the footprint of the new divisions is still to be decided – and the label of a ‘Midlands division’ isn’t accurate – but the plans are part of addressing the central part of the country.

Benefit

Now the finer details are being hammered out and The NPL, Isthmian and Southern Leagues – following consultation with their member clubs – are taking their views to the FA. And Harris says the plans are aiming to benefit clubs, players and fans.

“The reorganisation is important because, above anything else, everything we do is for clubs,” Harris, who is also chairman of Evo-Stik NPL South club Witton Albion, told The NLP.

“The people that matter most are the clubs, and, by extension, the fans.

“The primary objective of this reorganisation is to reduce travelling. The mileage in some of the leagues is very large.

“In our own league we have in recent seasons – although King’s Lynn are no longer with us – had clubs having to take two drivers on a coach to get from one end of the patch to the other.