PROMOTION AND RELEGATION
The FA regulations for promotion and relegation affecting teams in the Ebac Northern League Division One and Two (which are at Steps 5 and 6 respectively) are:
Newton Aycliffe as champions are automatically promoted to Step 4.
As runners-up in Division One, either Ashington or Bishop Auckland will take part in a one-off play off game against a team that finishes third or fourth bottom in Step 4. Their opponents will be announced by the FA, with the match taking place on Saturday, April 29 (although if both clubs agree, the match can be played on Sunday, April 30 or Monday, May 1). If the match is level after 90 minutes the tie will be decided on penalties. The winner will be placed in Step 4 and the loser placed in Step 5.
The bottom two teams in Division One are relegated.
Two teams are promoted from Division Two – the winners of the division are automatically promoted while the team that wins the play offs involving the teams from second to fifth are also promoted. (The details of the play offs will be announced as soon as possible.)
The bottom three teams in Division Two are liable for relegation. The final number of clubs to be relegated will be confirmed by the FA once promotion candidates from feeder leagues and any vacancies are known.
The full details of promotion and relegation are set out in section 5 of the FA’s Regulations for the Operation of the National League System document here: