THE FACE of non league football is set to change from next season as the Conference undergoes some radical changes.

For the season 2003/2004 the Nationwide Conference will increase from 22 to 24 clubs, a change which is set to pave the way for the introduction of a new feeder system the following year.

The changes have been put in place following talks between the FA, the Conference and the current feeder leagues, including the UniBond Northern Premier.

This new feeder system will see the formation of a new Football Alliance that will operate as an extension of the expanded Nationwide Football Conference and will be regionalised into two divisions.

The Alliance will be made up of current Conference, Ryman Isthmian League, Dr Martens Southern League and the UniBond Northern Premier League

The two new feeder divisions will be named Conference North and Conference South with both offering promotion to the Conference proper and relegation to the existing feeder leagues in the current pyramid structure.

Steve Parkin, FA National Game director, said: "During the past two and a half years, one of the FA's key objectives has been to make the national leagues system more compe-

titive, exciting and consistent.

"The FA will now work with the Football Conference, Isthmian League, Southern League, Northern Premier League and level 3 and level 4 clubs to finalise all details and establish selection criteria for entry into the two feeder leagues, ensuring that all clubs have this information before the start of season 2003/04."

The proposal has been sent to the three feeder leagues for consideration and consultation prior to an FA meeting before the end of the current season, which will finalise the details.

While Northwich Vics, who backed the proposals when they went to a vote at a meeting of Conference clubs, would be affected immediately it is uncertain as to whether the changes could have an influence at Witton Albion

But manager Benny Phillips would certainly welcome any chance to play at a higher level.

He said: "Any progression would be welcome and of course we want to play at the highest possible level.

"At Witton we've got a stadium that should be shown on a regular basis not by Northwich Vics, but by Witton.

"In the past the club has been mismanaged and we're paying for that now.

"But over the past couple of years the chairman has done a fantastic job and got us to a point where we can seriously think about moving forward."