DORCHESTER Town, Portland United and Bridport have discovered their league allocations for the 2022/23 after the FA yesterday revealed its latest reshuffle.
The National League System (NLS) is undergoing another shake-up to compensate for the 23 teams currently in the National League – or, Step 1.
Steps 1 and 2 are currently still in action, meaning Steps 3 to 6 are the only tiers to be officially confirmed – subject to appeals.
Dorchester remain in Step 3 in the Southern League Premier South, while Portland United stay in the Wessex League Premier Division at Step 5 level.
READ MORE: Dorchester beat Salisbury to secure safety
Bridport face the biggest change after their relegation from the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.
Edgar Marcu’s Bees drop to Step 6 and have side-stepped into the South West Peninsula League East, meaning they will play all of their away games in Devon.
Who will play where?
Dorchester welcome five new teams into their 22-club division.
Bracknell Town join after winning the Isthmian League South Central Division, while Hanwell Town follow them from the play-offs after finishing fourth.
Plymouth Parkway were promoted as champions of the Southern League Division One South, meaning Dorchester could face two trips to Bolitho Park next season.
This is due to Truro City’s presence in the league. The White Tigers are currently waiting to move to the new 10,000-capacity Stadium for Cornwall – building for which has not yet begun.
Truro are therefore expected to exercise a second-season option to play at Bolitho Park in 2022/23.
The other new teams to rise into the Magpies’ division are North Leigh plus Winchester City, who came through the play-offs in Parkway’s league after a fourth-placed finish.
Kings Langley, who were reprieved from relegation on points per game, have sidestepped into the Southern League Central Division.
Champions Taunton and play-off winners Farnborough will face relegated Weymouth in the National League South next season but Merthyr Town and Wimborne Town both drop to the Southern League Division One South.
Portland United face three new teams and have had their division cut from 21 to 20 clubs.
Bemerton Heath Harlequins were promoted from Wessex Division One as champions, while Laverstock & Ford followed via the play-offs after clinching fifth spot.
Pagham have side-stepped from the Southern Counties Premier, meaning the Blues will face a lengthy journey to West Sussex.
Amesbury Town were relegated, while Hamworthy United and Bashley were promoted to Southern League Division One South. Alton have side-stepped to the Combined Counties Premier South.
Bridport will be the only Dorset-based club in the 18-team South West Peninsula League East.
The Bees will face Axminster Town, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Crediton, Cullompton, Dartmouth, Elburton, Elmore, Honiton, Ivybridge, Newton Abbott Spurs, Okehampton, Plymouth Marjon, Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Torridgeside and Torrington.
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