A RESTRUCTURE of Cornwall and Devon's football leagues is a step closer following a meeting last Friday.

Representatives of Cornwall and Devon FA, South West Peninsula and the Devon and Exeter Leagues reported back on their meetings that they had with their management committees, regarding the re-organisation of the Steps 6 and 7 in Cornwall and Devon.

All parties want to go ahead with the structure, as from the 2019/20 season.

This will mean that the South West Peninsula League will be responsible for the two Step 6 leagues, one in Cornwall and one in Devon.

There will be 20 teams in the top Cornwall league, with the existing 12 Cornish teams in SWPL Premier being joined by eight from Division 1 West, assuming that they apply and also meet the ground criteria.

The Cornwall FA will run the Step 7 league, featuring 16 teams and will be a combination of existing Division 1 West sides, plus the top ranked sides from the Combination and East Cornwall Leagues. Again, that would be subject to those teams applying and their ground grading.

The names of the Step 7 leagues will be agreed at a later date.

Ray Lewis, chairman of the Football Association’s Leagues Committee, will be taking the proposal to its next meeting on April 10 to gain approval to move this venture forward.

It was agreed to form a Joint Liaison Committee formed of representatives from all parties and this will meet on May 3. This will then be followed with meetings in early June, when the full proposals will be given to clubs.

The Football Association will be writing to each club after April 10 explaining the structure and the timeline for submitting expressions of interest to play in the new Step 6 and Step 7 Leagues.

The closing date for this will be September 30, with formal applications to be received by December 31.

If you wish to discuss this proposed re-structure and the impact it may have on your club, please contact Richard Pallot at Cornwall FA on 01208 262983 or email richard.pallot@cornwallfa.com