That must have changed then since AFCW joined, they had to go to the bottom rung (Combined Counties League) despite a request to enter one level higher. They only got promoted in their second season.
Well, this is my first post on P&B. I'm originally from The Netherlands, lived in England for quite some time and I'm now living in Scotland. I have been following this thread with interest, as I remember the pyramid discussions in England when the lower levels were integrated which was around the time that my English club (AFC Wimbledon) restarted in non-league. In The Netherlands there is currently a passionate discussion going on about the pyramid as well and I recognise much in this discussion. I don't have a particular favourite team in Scotland (not yet anyway), but I have been watching football at all levels, from SPL to non-league, since arriving here in August. I have also been to a fair amount of junior grounds, including my local team Lochee United. So that's why I have been following this discussion.
Just a bit of clarification on AFCW & Darlington. AFC Wimbledon started in the lowest "senior" level (the "junior" levels in England are like amateur football in Scotland, so the terms are slightly different). That was always the intention, but we originally applied for a different league than where we ended up. But both the league we first applied for (Ryman Division 2, doesn't exist anymore) and the one we eventually ended up in (Combined Counties League) were on the same level and the lowest senior level in that part of England at the time.
Darlington didn't restart as a new club like AFCW did. They are legally still the same club, but after financial problems & ground issues got expelled from the Conference and due to the same issues, they didn't get a license for the Northern Premier either, resulting in them being placed in the highest league below that in their geographical area, Northern League division 1. That's why they didn't start the lowest league in their area. They disagreed with not being allowed into the Northern Premier, which is what the discussion was about, but the FA didn't agree and confirmed they had to go in the Northern League division 1.
