The F. A. have announced the allocations for Steps 1-6 in the non league pryamid. This news has been eagerly awaited by clubs up and down the country as it decides in which league teams will compete in the 2024-2025 season.

Because Swallownest finished in the bottom 3 of the Northern Counties East League we were liable to be relegated to one of the feeder leagues below.

However, we can confirm that we have been given a repreive and we will continue in the Northern Counties East League Division 1 for the coming season.

The Northern Counties East League Division 1 is part of a national group of 17 leagues at Step 6 on the pyramid.

The FAs constitution dictates that there should be 340 clubs across these leagues to make up the full tier allocation.

When there are not enough clubs liable to come up from the tiers below (either from their final league position or because of ground grading) clubs whom still meet the criteria for Step 6 can be given repreives by the FA to ensure the 340 clubs in the national system has been fulfilled.

Now we know where we have been placed the preparations for next season start straight away and we will be doing everything we can to avoid having to rely on a repreive and finish as high as we can and outside of the bottom 3.

This starts on Saturday 25th May with a volunteers clean up day at the Swall-Siro from 11am. Any help from the community will be much appreciated.

Your continued support will be vital as we also ask you to spread the word throughout the village regarding Swallownest FC and encourage friends and family to enjoy some NCEL football (on the national football pyramid at 3pm on Saturday afternoons at the Swall-Siro).

Over the course of the summer we will keep you updated with everything you need to know regarding pre-season. friendlies, player signings, season ticket launch and all other club news.