Conference South
Encyclopedia
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference
in England
, taking its place immediately below the Conference National
. Along with Conference North
it is at the second level of the National League System
, and at the sixth tier overall of the English football league system
.
The Conference South was introduced in 2004 as part of a major restructuring of English non-League football. The champions are automatically promoted to Conference National. A second promotion place goes to the winners of play-offs involving the teams finishing in second to fifth place. The three bottom clubs are relegated to Step 3 leagues.
In an agreement with Setanta Sports
, some Conference South matches were to be broadcast live on the Setanta channels
. Setanta also re-instated the Conference League Cup
, under the name of the Setanta Shield. On June 23, 2009, Setanta entered administration; this will likely terminate the agreement. Conference South teams were expected to receive a minimum of £15,000 per year under the agreement and this is expected to end.
From the 2007–08 season to 2009–10
it was known as Blue Square South; it is now known as the Blue Square Bet South.
** Not promoted. In 2004-5 only three promotion places were available to the Conference National. The third place was decided in a Playoff at Stoke
's Britannia Stadium
, which Eastbourne
lost 2–1 to the Conference North
Playoff winners, Altrincham
.
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, taking its place immediately below the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. Along with Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
it is at the second level of the National League System
National League System
The National League System comprises the seven levels of the English football league system immediately below the level of the Premier League and The Football League. It contains 91 league competitions and more than 1,600 clubs. It comes under the jurisdiction of The Football Association...
, and at the sixth tier overall of the English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
.
The Conference South was introduced in 2004 as part of a major restructuring of English non-League football. The champions are automatically promoted to Conference National. A second promotion place goes to the winners of play-offs involving the teams finishing in second to fifth place. The three bottom clubs are relegated to Step 3 leagues.
In an agreement with Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports is an international sports broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. Setanta Sports was formed in 1990 to facilitate the broadcasting of Irish sporting events...
, some Conference South matches were to be broadcast live on the Setanta channels
Setanta Sports 1 & 2
Setanta Sports 1 is a subscription based sports channel in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Irelandunder a new licensing agreement between the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the newly formed company Setanta Sports Channel Ireland Ltd replacing Setanta Sports Ireland Ltd.The channel...
. Setanta also re-instated the Conference League Cup
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
, under the name of the Setanta Shield. On June 23, 2009, Setanta entered administration; this will likely terminate the agreement. Conference South teams were expected to receive a minimum of £15,000 per year under the agreement and this is expected to end.
From the 2007–08 season to 2009–10
2009–10 Football Conference
The 2009–10 Football Conference season was the sixth season with the Conference consisting of three divisions, and the thirty-first season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football in England. The Conference National is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid,...
it was known as Blue Square South; it is now known as the Blue Square Bet South.
Conference South clubs, 2011–12
| Club |
Finishing position 2010–11 |
|---|---|
| Basingstoke Town Basingstoke Town F.C. Basingstoke Town Football Club is an English football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Camrose, named after their late benefactor, Lord Camrose. Their motto, 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', means 'No stepping... |
13th |
| Boreham Wood Boreham Wood F.C. Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South... |
14th |
| Bromley Bromley F.C. Bromley Football Club are an English football club based in Bromley, in Greater London, England. They currently play in the Conference South, and play their home matches at Hayes Lane.-Early years:... |
11th |
| Chelmsford City Chelmsford City F.C. Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:... |
4th |
| Dartford Dartford F.C. Dartford F.C. are an English football club based in Dartford, Kent. After finishing as champions of the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season, they compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They finished in 8th position in their first season... |
10th |
| Dorchester Town Dorchester Town F.C. Dorchester Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club, based in Dorchester, Dorset, England, and currently playing in the Blue Square Bet South... |
17th |
| Dover Athletic Dover Athletic F.C. Dover Athletic Football Club is an association football team based in the town of Dover, Kent, England. The club was formed in 1983 after the dissolution of the town's previous club, Dover, whose place in the Southern League was taken by the new club... |
7th |
| Eastbourne Borough Eastbourne Borough F.C. Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney... |
23rd in Conference National Conference National Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
| Eastleigh Eastleigh F.C. Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:... |
8th |
| Farnborough | 2nd |
| Hampton & Richmond Borough | 18th |
| Havant & Waterlooville Havant & Waterlooville F.C. Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant... |
9th |
| Maidenhead United Maidenhead United F.C. Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year... |
19th |
| Salisbury City Salisbury City F.C. Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium... |
3rd in Southern League Premier Division |
| Staines Town Staines Town F.C. Staines Town FC are an English football club based in Staines, Surrey. They are currently competing in the Conference South. The team are usually known as 'The Swans'... |
15th |
| Sutton United Sutton United F.C. Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane.... |
1st in Isthmian League Premier Division |
| Thurrock Thurrock F.C. Thurrock F.C. are an English football club based in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex. Known as Purfleet until 2003, the club are currently members of the Conference South and play at Ship Lane.-History:... |
20th (Reprieved) |
| Tonbridge Angels Tonbridge Angels F.C. Tonbridge Angels Football Club is an English football club who play at Longmead Stadium in Tonbridge, Kent, since moving from the Angel Ground in 1980.... |
2nd in Isthmian League Premier Division |
| Truro City Truro City F.C. Truro City F.C. are an English professional football club based in Truro, Cornwall. They currently play in the Conference South following five promotions in six seasons. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title five times in their history... |
1st in Southern League Premier Division |
| Welling United Welling United F.C. Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and... |
6th |
| Weston-super-Mare | 12th |
| Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
5th |
Past Conference South winners
| Season | Winner | Playoff Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
Grays Athletic Grays Athletic F.C. Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season... |
Eastbourne Borough Eastbourne Borough F.C. Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney... ** |
| 2005–06 2005-06 in English football The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... |
Weymouth Weymouth F.C. Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year... |
St Albans City St Albans City F.C. St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League... |
| 2006–07 2006-07 in English football The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five... |
Histon Histon F.C. Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league... |
Salisbury City Salisbury City F.C. Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium... |
| 2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
Lewes Lewes F.C. Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Dripping Pan.-History:... |
Eastbourne Borough Eastbourne Borough F.C. Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney... |
| 2008–09 | AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football.... |
Hayes & Yeading United Hayes & Yeading United F.C. Hayes & Yeading United F.C. are an English football club based in Woking in Surrey. They were formed in May 2007 following a merger of Hayes and Yeading. They play at the Kingfield Stadium agreeing a groundshare with Woking-History:... |
| 2009–10 | Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
Bath City Bath City F.C. Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010... |
| 2010–11 | Braintree Town | Ebbsfleet United |
** Not promoted. In 2004-5 only three promotion places were available to the Conference National. The third place was decided in a Playoff at Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
's Britannia Stadium
Britannia Stadium
The Britannia Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England and the home of Premier League club Stoke City Football Club. With space for 27,598 spectators . The name is taken from the sponsors of the Stadium the Britannia Co-operative Bank...
, which Eastbourne
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
lost 2–1 to the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
Playoff winners, Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
Records
| Biggest home win | 7 – Bognor Regis Town 8 Maidenhead United 1, 08.11.2005 8 1, 26.12.2007 7 0, 11.12.10 |
| Biggest away win | 7 – Dorchester Town 0 Grays Athletic 7, 23.10.2004 |
| Highest scoring match | 11 – Bognor Regis Town 6 Welling United 5, 11.09.2004 |
| Consecutive wins | 10 – , 2005/06 & , 2008/09 |
| Consecutive games unbeaten | 21 – , 2009/10 |
| Most wins in a season | 32 – Newport County 2009/10 |
| Fewest wins in a season | 5 – Sutton United 2007/08 Fisher Athletic 2008/09 & Weymouth 2009/10 |
| Most defeats in a season | 34 – Fisher Athletic 2008/09 |
| Fewest defeats in a season | 3 – Newport County 2009/10 |
| Most draws in a season | 17 – Welling United 2005/06 2006/07 Braintree Town 2009/10 |
| Fewest draws in a season | 3 – 2004/05 2005/06 Fisher Athletic 2008/09 |
| Most goals scored in a season | 118 – Grays Athletic, 2004/05 |
| Fewest goals scored in a season | 22 – Fisher Athletic 2008/09 |
| Most goals conceded in a season | 103 – Weymouth 2009/10 |
| Fewest goals conceded in a season | 26 – Newport County, 2009/10 |
| Most clean sheets in a season | 23 – Newport County 2009/10 |
| Most points in a season | 103 – Newport County 2009/10 |
| Most individual goals in a season | 34 – Adam Birchall, Dover Athletic, 2010/11 |
| Most individual goals in a game | 6 – Mitchell Bryant, Weymouth 0 Basingstoke Town 6, 13.02.2010 |
| Highest attendance | 5,022 – Weymouth vs. , 17.04.2006 |
| Highest average attendance | 3,219 – AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football.... , 2008/09 |