Following a recent meeting held between Devon FA, Cornwall FA and the Football Association, we are pleased to be able to give you an update and some clarification in relation to the proposed restructure of football and the National League System in Devon and Cornwall, with regards to the creation of a new Devon County League at Step 7.

General Overview

The South West Peninsula League will now operate two Divisions of up to 20 teams at Step 6 of the National League System, sitting below that will be Two Leagues run by Devon and Cornwall FA that will comprise of two Devon based divisions that will consist of 16 teams based in North and East Devon together with a further division of 16 teams based in South and West Devon. In addition to this Cornwall will also have their own division that is made up of 16 teams.

Devon Step 7 League application and priority for entry to the League for the 2019/20 Season

All Clubs who submitted an expression of interest to participate in the new league have been sent an application form to complete and return to Devon FA no later than February 28^th 2019.

Details of how to submit the application form together with support and guidance of how to complete the League application form have also been given to those Clubs.

Ground Grading

For a club to be accepted into the league they must meet the minimum Ground Grading requirements for Step 7 of the National League System or following a ground grading inspection be able to demonstrate they will be able to meet the minimum requirements by March 31st 2021. Failure to meet the minimum requirement by this date will result in automatic relegation.

Reserve Teams

Of the 16 teams who will comprise the Step 7 League in Devon no more than 50% may be reserve teams of clubs competing at Step 6 or above of the National League System.

Priority

Priority 1 – Any Devon teams currently competing at Step 6 or 7 of the National League System who are either unsuccessful with their application to play at Step 6 of the National League System or who have applied to play specifically at Step 7.

Priority 2 – Devon teams competing in the Premier Divisions of the South Devon Football League, Devon & Exeter Football League, North Devon Football League, Plymouth & West Devon Football League and the East Cornwall League who have submitted an official application.

Priority 3 – Devon teams competing in the South Devon Football League, Devon & Exeter Football League, North Devon Football League and Plymouth & West Devon Football League who have submitted an official application. Along with a new teams (Others)

Teams will only be considered from priority 3 should there be insufficient numbers to create a League of 16 from those teams in Priority 1 and 2.

“Expressions of Interest” Received for Step 7

Committee

We are currently finalising the new Committee for the new League and they will be having their first meeting in February, once we have had all confirmations from those who expressed the desire to be involved. An announcement of the Committee will be announced shortly.

Finance and Sponsorship

Having had successful talks with the Football Association we are very positive about the amount of finance we have secured for the setting up of the new Devon Step Seven League.

In a similar vein our Commercial Consultant has been working hard to secure a very attractive Sponsorship package of which more information will follow in the next few weeks.

Once we have a list of confirmed applications we will release a further statement and arrange to meet with representatives of all local leagues to discuss the impact the restructure that this will have upon them. There will also be the opportunity to meet the Devon County League Committee as well as an open forum for our new Clubs to attend and ask questions of the League.

To ensure as much consistency as possible in relation to rules, regulations and fees a JLC (Joint Liaison Committee) has been set up, with representatives of the new Step 7 Leagues in Devon and Cornwall, along with senior members of Cornwall and Devon FA’s.

If you have any questions the please contact Paul Morrison at Devon FA on 01626 325912 or email paul.morrison@devonfa.com  and he will be happy to clarify any points

Finally this has been a journey for all those involved; especially you our Clubs and we would like to thank you for your patience over the last few months, our destination is getting closer all the time…..