At todays League AGM, a bizarre twist sees AFC Liverpool promoted to the North West Counties Premier Division.



The constitution of the League for season 2011-12 was announced at the League AGM today.

The Premier Division will consist of 22 clubs. New Mills have been promoted to the Evo-Stik League, but no club has been relegated back. This means Rossendale United are reprieved from relegation, as the club finishing second bottom of the Premier Division in 2010-11.

In addition, Formby have been guilty of a breach of rules regarding a change of entity not being notified to the League or the FA. As result, Formby have been relegated to Division One, and Ashton Athletic are reprieved from relegation.

AFC Blackpool and Runcorn Town, as champions and runners-up in Division One, are promoted to the Premier Division.

However, Rossendale United have given no indication to the League Management Committee that they wish to remain members of the league for season 2011-12, and have not paid their league membership fee by the required deadline. No representative from Rossendale United attended the AGM to offer any explanation as to the club’s status.

This issue, coupled with non-payment of other fines and general maladministration over the past few months, has led to the League Management Committee taking the decision to expel Rossendale United from the League.

This creates another vacancy in the Premier Division, which was offered to Holker Old Boys, as the team finishing third in Division One last season. Holker Old Boys declined the opportunity, and therefore the additional place will now be taken by AFC Liverpool, who finished fourth in Division One last season.

Nelson and Northwich Villa were both elected to the league’s First Division at the meeting and the league will now operate with an 18 club first division.