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Conference National (often referred to as the Nationwide Conference for sponsorship reasons) is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system.
[edit] History
The league was formed as the 'Alliance Premier League' in 1979. It was the first attempt to create a fully national league underneath the football league, drawing its clubs from the Northern Premier League and the Southern League. It greatly improved the quality of football at this lower level, as well as improving the financial status of the top clubs. This was reflected in 1986, when the Football League began accepting direct promotion/relegation between the Conference (as it was known by then) and its lowest level - at that time the Football League Fourth Division.
Since 2002-03, the league has been granted a second promotion place, with a play-off deciding who joins the champions in the football league. Previously, no promotion from the Conference would occur if the winners did not have adequate stadium facilities. As of the start of the 2002-03 season, if a club achieves the automatic promotion or the play-off places but does not have an adequate stadium, their place will be re-allocated to the next highest-placed club that has the required facilities. In 2004-05, the Conference increased its size by adding two lower divisions, the Conference North and Conference South respectively. In 2006 the Conference expanded from 22 to 24 teams. This was achieved by relegating 2 teams and promoting 4 teams. From the 2006/07 season there will be a 4 up/4 down system between the Conference National and its two feeder divisions.
The champions of the division are Accrington Stanley who were promoted to Football League Two along with Hereford United who won the 2006 Playoff Final.
[edit] Conference National clubs, 2006-07
[edit] Past Conference National winners
[edit] Play-off results
[edit] Conference National Stadia 2006-07
| Home Club |
Stadium Name |
Capacity |
| Halifax Town |
The Shay |
14,000 |
| Oxford United |
Kassam Stadium |
12,500 |
| Cambridge United |
Abbey Stadium |
9,617 |
| Exeter City |
St James Park |
9,034 |
| York City |
KitKat Crescent |
9,034 |
| Aldershot Town |
Recreation Ground |
7,500 |
| Stevenage Borough |
Broadhall Way |
7,100 |
| Burton Albion |
Pirelli Stadium |
6,500 |
| Weymouth |
The Wessex Stadium |
6,500 |
| Rushden & Diamonds |
Nene Park |
6,441 |
| Morecambe |
Christie Park |
6,400 |
| Kidderminster Harriers |
Aggborough Stadium |
6,293 |
| Altrincham |
Moss Lane |
6,150 |
| Southport |
Haig Avenue |
6,008 |
| Woking |
Kingfield Stadium |
6,000 |
| Stafford Rangers |
Marston Road |
8,843 |
| Dagenham & Redbridge |
Victoria Road |
6,000 |
| Northwich Victoria |
Victoria Stadium |
6,000 |
| Forest Green Rovers |
Forest Green New Stadium |
5,147 |
| Crawley Town |
Broadfield Stadium |
4,996 |
| St Albans City |
Clarence Park |
4,500 |
| Tamworth |
The Lamb Ground |
4,065 |
| Gravesend & Northfleet |
Stonebridge Road |
3,500 |
| Grays Athletic |
Recreation Ground |
3,500 |
[edit] External links
Conference National 2006-07
England
