PROMOTION is still on the cards for Herefordshire sides after the FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees announced that it would be recommending a restructure to the FA Council.

The structural changes to the number of divisions in the non-league system is being recommended in order to 'address the imbalance' that currently exists and achieve the ‘pure non-league pyramid’.

A press release from the FA stated: "As part of the proposals, 110 clubs would be upwardly moved within the pyramid at Steps 4-6 in order to facilitate the new divisions, protecting the integrity of the NLS (non-league system) whilst supporting clubs with a desire and ambition to progress, without undermining the stability of the system. "The restructure will have a positive impact on a significant number of clubs, supporting them with reduced travel and costs and providing greater opportunities for generating income via localised fixtures."

The committee has proposed that 20 clubs will move from step five to step four.

Meanwhile, 60 clubs will move from step six to step five.

The FA states that: "Each Club will be allocated an unweighted points per game figure on the basis of its completed fixtures in both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, i.e. the club’s total points across both seasons will be added together and divided by the number of games it has played across both seasons .

"Clubs will then be ranked within their respective leagues on the basis of those calculations."

Westfields

Westfields play in the Hellenic Premier (step five) and were unbeaten during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign with 66 points from 26 games.

However, Binfield were 14 points behind with four games in hand.

This season (2020/21) Westfields had seven points from five games.

However, Binfield amassed 17 points from seven games in the curtailed season.

Clubs who are eligible for promotion will be the 'top ranked club' in the Hellenic Premier.

The FA continues: "Multiple clubs will be upwardly moved from these specific leagues, as per the previous ratification by FA Council, in order to address specific challenges with travelling distance and time which exist at step-four."

Hereford Lads Club and Hereford Pegasus

Hereford Lads Club, Hereford Pegasus and Wellington play in the Hellenic League South West (step six).

In the curtailed 2019/20 season Hereford Pegasus finished second with 52 points from 24 games.

Meanwhile, Hereford Lads Club finished third 45 points from 21 games.

This season Hereford Pegasus sit in sixth in the curtailed season with 16 points from 10 games.

Meanwhile, Hereford Lads Club have amassed 16 points from nine games.

Both sides finished within two points of second placed Thornbury Town.

Malvern Town finished top this season on 30 points from 11 games and in the same position last season on 53 points from 22 games.

The FA states: "The top three ranked clubs will be considered eligible for upward movement to step five and will be invited to make an application for upward movement.

"The committees are currently considering what additional requirements clubs who are eligible based on sporting merit will be required to meet in order to be upwardly moved via this process and further details will be communicated on this in due course."

The FA have stated that it would not be mandatory for any club which is eligible to take promotion and the 'next best' ranked club would be invited.