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Levels 7-8 consist of the Regional Premier Divisions and the First Divisions. These are the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League and Southern League.

Relegation from Regional First Divisions go down to the County Leagues at Level 9.

Level 7 – Regional Premier Divisions

(Northern Premier League Premier Division, Isthmian League Premier Division, Southern League Premier Division)

  • 22 teams in each division
  • 42 games (play each other once home and away)
  • One automatic promotion place in each division to either Conference North or Conference South depending on club’s location
  • Second-Fifth is involved in a play-off in each division (both semi final and final are one leg at the home team’s ground)
  • Four relegations to Regional First Divisions in each division depending on club’s location

Level 8 – Regional First Divisions

(Northern Premier League Division One North, Northern Premier League Division One South, Isthmian League Division One North, Isthmian League Division One South, Southern League Division One Central, Southern League Division One South/West)

  • 22 teams in each division
  • 42 games (play each other once home and away)
  • One automatic promotion place in each division to either Conference North or Conference South depending on club’s location
  • Second-Fifth is involved in a play-off in each division (both semi final and final are one leg at the home team’s ground)
  • Two relegations in each Northern Premier League Division One North, Northern Premier League Division One South, Southern League Division One Central, Southern League Division One South/West. Three relegations in each Isthmian League Division One North and Isthmian League Division One South

Cup Competitions

FA Cup

  • All teams compete (see National Cups page for structure)
  • Regional First Divisions enter at the Preliminary Round
  • Regional Premier Divisions enter at the First Qualifying Round
  • Final takes place at Wembley
  • Match is replayed if the first tie is a draw
  • If the replay is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner

FA Trophy

  • All teams compete (see National Cups page for structure)
  • Regional First Divisions enter at the Preliminary Round
  • Regional Premier Divisions enter at the First Qualifying Round
  • Final takes place at Wembley
  • Match is replayed if the first tie is a draw
  • If the replay is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner

Northern Premier League Challenge Cup

  • Open to all teams in the Northern Premier League
  • Eight teams from Division One North and Division One South join the Preliminary Round
  • The rest of Division One North and Division One South join the First Round
  • Premier Division clubs enter at the Third Round
  • All matches one leg each
  • If ties are level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner

Isthmian League Cup

  • Knock-out tournament for all teams in the Northern Premier League
  • All games one leg
  • If the tie is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner
  • Final takes place at a neutral venue

Southern League Cup

  • Knock-out tournament for all teams in the Northern Premier League
  • All games one leg
  • If the tie is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner
  • Final takes place at a neutral venue

Northern Premier League President’s Cup

  • Knock-out tournament for all teams in the Northern Premier League Division One North and Northern Premier League Division One South
  • All games one leg
  • If the tie is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner
  • Final takes place at a neutral venue

Isthmian League Division One Cup

  • Knock-out tournament for all teams in the Isthmian League Division One North and Isthmian League Division One South
  • All games one leg
  • If the tie is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner
  • Final takes place at a neutral venue

Southern League Division One Cup

  • Knock-out tournament for all teams in the Southern League Division One Central and Southern League Division One South/West
  • All games one leg
  • If the tie is still level at 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if still level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner
  • Final takes place at a neutral venue

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