User:Levelledout/sandbox

Promotion and Relegation
The Essex Senior League state that a club must finish in the top 3 to be considered for promotion to the Isthmian League Division One North. However the process is governed by the FA Leagues Committee which regulates the entire National League System. As of the 2014-15 season FA rules for 'step 5' divisions such as the Essex Senior League stipulate that the champions should be offered the first chance of promotion. If the champions do not wish to be promoted or are not able to meet the entry requirements for promotion then the 2nd or 3rd placed team may be considered for promotion. Under normal circumstances, only one club can be promoted from a 'step 5' league (i.e. the Essex Senior League) to a 'step 4' league (i.e. the Isthmian League Division One).

In exchange for the promoted club, the Essex Senior League would typically receive a relegated club from a 'step 4' league. Relegated clubs of 'step 4' leagues are allocated an appropriate league based on their geographical locations. Thus the Essex Senior League is most likely to receive one of the relegated clubs from the Ryman League Division One North.

There is no relegation from the Essex Senior League into a lower league since there is no step 6 'equivalent' to the ESL. Leagues including the Essex Olympian League (step 7) sometimes act as a feeder league to the Essex Senior League but promotion and relegation between the two leagues is not automatic.