Bill Thomas suggests a possible way forward for Non-League football.
Whilst we don't know how the voting will go, my guess is that National League Premier will complete their season, and National League North and South won't. I also think that it's unlikely that any of the levels below will complete their season's either.
If my prediction is correct, I think it would be a good idea to have a points per game plan from steps 2 to 6, with limited promotion based on combined results over the two unfinished seasons. Teams who have only played at their current level this season would stay at the same level regardless of results.
Taking into account that a number of leagues are a team short, the plan could be used to make the numbers right at each level in time for the start of next season. This would include the introduction of the extra leagues planned for steps 4 and 5, but the crazy idea of having 24 teams in the step 2 leagues would be scrapped. The plan would work as shown below.
At step 2, the best performing team from both leagues would be promoted, with just one team relegated from step 1. At step 3, two out of the 87 teams would be promoted, with no relegation from step 2. The levels below would then promote the required number of teams to allow the planned 1-2-4-8-16-17 pyramid to start next season. No teams would be relegated on points per game.
Whilst my plan may not be ideal, it would at least mean that some of the results could count for something, and the numbers could be right at each level at the start of next season. The plan could also be adjusted if the vote went differently.
For a pyramid to be perfect of course, the right number of teams need to be promoted from each level. Competition needs to be maximised at all levels to maximise interest. The systems also need to be as fair and equitable as possible at all levels.
The simple solution would be for the three Football League divisions and the National League Premier to all have three promotion places, and all of the leagues from step 2 to 5 to have two promotion places. All of these leagues could use the 6-team play-off system to maximise competition.
Step 6 could share 48 promotion places. The 17 Champion clubs and the best 11 runners up could take the first 28 places, and the remaining 6 runners up and the 3rd and 4th placed teams could play-off for the last 20 spots.
If the promotion systems were as I suggested, then I think that football would be as competitive as it realistically could be at all levels. The fans who have been starved of live football for so long, could be rewarded with a feast of excitement. So my message to the football powers is very simple. Make the numbers right, maximise competition and maximise interest.
Bill Thomas ... Bradford on Avon.