THE Rebels, the Royalists and the Blues could all be better off after the Football Association gave the green light to two new leagues feeding the existing Nationwide Conference.

The FA’s proposal for restructuring the Ryman League, Dr Marten’s South League and the Unibond Premier League has always maintained that a two feeder plus four feeder system (known as proposal C) was the best structure for the future.

The FA National Leagues’ System Committee has reviewed the Football Conference’s request to extend its competition and supported the creation of a structure that is in line with the FA’s original proposal.

As a result, the creation of a new Conference North and Conference South Division, feeding into The Football Conference will commence from the beginning of season 2004/05, subject to ratification by FA Council in May 2003.

The Rebels’ secretary, Roy Merryweather, said: “In some sense it helps Slough because it gives us a year to get our act together to make sure any application to join the Conference South is accepted.

“But it is absolutely imperative that we get promotion this season.

“The only other way is that, if some of the clubs that are automtically chosen for the feeder leagues do not meet the criteria.

“It’s quite possible that the league could look elsewhere.”

It is understood that clubs wanting to apply for entry into one of the Conference feeder leagues will have to demonstrate a solid financial background and the correct ground infrastructure.

But Mr Merryweather said: “The bad thing about it not happening until the season after next is that there will be nothing for us to play for next season because the league will want a minimum of 10 and a maximim of 14 clubs from the Ryman Premier League for the feeder system.”

Windsor & Eton chairman Peter Simpson said the proposals of two feeder leagues into the Conference could assist the Royalists in moving into the Ryamn Premier League – they have stated in the past that they are not interested in Conference football soon rather than later.

He said: “It doesn’t matter if we do not make promotion this season. If the Conference takes 10 to 12 clubs from the existing Ryman Premier for the two feeder leagues then it is my belief that perhaps the top five or six from the Ryman Division One will be taken to fill the gaps left in the Ryman Premier, providing they have a sufficient ground grading.”

Work is currently on schedule to bring Windsor & Eton’s Stag Meadow home from a Grade B to a Grade A by April 1.

Mr Simpson said: “It’s coming on leaps and bounds and I think that to accomodate 3000 people it is going to be one of the most attractive grounds you will see in the Ryman League.”

Burnham Football Club treasurer Rod Saunders confirmed the club supported any decision by the FA to introduce regionalisation.

He said: “Burnham welcomes the FA’s decision. But obviously we do not know the layout of the leagues below this and how it will affect us as a club.

“But it gives us something to work towards with the development of our new ground and hopefully we can have a good season next term.”

The Conference has also applied to the FA to increase its membership from 22 clubs to 24.