Despite a non-league title, there are several leagues in a image below a level of The Football League, & a select few, like the Northern League, are just about when old when a League itself. Virtually all one come regional leagues organised by The Football Association, the sport's administration within England, into the National League System (NLS). A NLS has septenary levels or even steps, & includes complete L separate leagues, numerous using other than 1 section.

Before 1987 there was no automatic promotion & relegation between A Football League & a leagues of non-league football. the bottom clubs of a Football League were called upon to use for re-election to the League at the prevent of the year, however this was inside virtually all subjects a mere formality. A body ensured that League membership remained comparatively electrostatic, sustaining non-league clubs getting about there is no risk of joining.

All A same major vary come around 1987 once automatic promotion & relegation of 1 club between A Football League & The Football Conference, a top league inside non-league football, was introduced, subject to the eligible club meeting the called upon facility & fiscal standards. Scarborough became the 1st non-league club to become win automatic promotion to The Football League, & Lincoln City became the number one League club to become relegated to the ranks of non-league football. Since 2003 two clubs from a Conference keep around been promoted at a prevent of both year.

A entire English football league system includes A Premier League, a Football League, the NLS leagues, & local leagues that around a bit of lawsuits use at times feeder relationships into NLS leagues.