Clarification of new rules

Below is a press release from the Conference regarding the recent rule changes.

Transfer Windows

Over the past 12 months it has become clear that FIFA Regulations regarding Transfer Windows would be implemented in the Football League and the Nationwide Conference despite a concentrated effort by both competitions to resist the system.

While the Premier League have already being operating under Transfer Windows the effect on Conference Clubs will be monitored closely over the coming season. Clubs may need to be more selective when signing players and the number in the first team squad during the open Transfer Windows the first of which closes on 31 August and re opens on 1 January and remain open until 31 January.

The Conference have amended the number of Players clubs can register on Loan during the season to allow for more players to be registered at any one time with up to 4 Short Term and 4 Long Term now allowed. The number of Loan Players allowed to play in any Conference fixture is increased to 5 per match. These amendments will go some way to allowing clubs to operate with adequate squad numbers during the playing season.

The one exception outside Transfer Windows is the registration of a Goalkeeper for a minimum period of 7 days should a club have no registered goalkeeper available for a Conference fixture.

Increased Promotion

The Conference has already reviewed the new 66 club structure and has decided to increase promotion and relegation between Nationwide Conference and Nationwide North and Nationwide South at the end of the 2005/2006 season. The increase will provide for 4 clubs two each from North and South being promoted, the Two Champion Clubs and the Two winners of North and South end of season Play-Offs.

Also at the end of the 2005/2006 season only Two clubs will be relegated from Nationwide Conference to North and South while promoting Four this will for season 2006/2007 an increase in Nationwide Conference to a 24 club competition while North and South remain a 22 each.

The final phase of the structure is to seek parity with the rest of football by increasing the promotion to Three up Three down between the Football League - League Two and the Nationwide Conference.

Once again Conference clubs have lead the way in taking the opportunity for increase in promotion providing the gateway for successful,and ambitious clubs to progress.

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