Below the top four tiers of English football lies a split that has long intrigued fans and administrators alike: the National League North and South.
The Football League has not always been strictly national in its lower tiers. In 1920, after the Southern League’s top division was absorbed, it became the Football League Third Division. A year later, the Third Division North was established, pulling clubs from historic competitions like the Lancashire Combination and the Midland League. This dual-division system allowed for a more practical, cost-effective football structure in a time before motorways and mega TV deals. Midland clubs like Walsall and Mansfield even floated between the two depending on geographical reshuffling to accommodate promotions and relegations.
Despite this pragmatic approach, the North-South divide was abolished in 1958, replaced by national Third and Fourth Divisions. At the time, with post-war rail and road travel improving, a nationwide league system made economic sense. But today, with rising fuel prices, congested roads, and a cost-of-living crisis squeezing fans and clubs alike, it might be time to revisit that old model.
So should the Football League be regionalised again?
More Derby Games
Imagine a League Two South where clubs like Cambridge, Peterborough, Northampton, Colchester, Gillingham, Swindon and Reading all battle it out. These teams are close enough geographically to build genuine rivalries—if they haven’t already—and a regional format would ensure those fixtures take place every season. Fans thrive on derbies, and local pride fuels passion on and off the pitch. The rivalries would be intense, the stadiums full, and the atmospheres electric.
Fan Travel Costs
While top-tier clubs fly to away matches, those lower down the pyramid still pile onto coaches and minibuses for often expensive and exhausting journeys. Regionalisation would mean fewer 250-mile round trips for away fixtures, something smaller clubs and their loyal fans would warmly welcome. It’s not just about money—it’s about accessibility. Fans would be more inclined to attend away matches if it’s a 40-minute drive instead of a five-hour slog.
Goodbye Long Midweek Trips
As it stands, a Carlisle supporter might have to travel to Colchester on a cold Tuesday night, which is both financially and physically draining. A regional setup could ensure more midweek matches are local, boosting attendance figures and reducing strain on players and fans alike.
Interesting Mix Of Fixtures
Picture Birmingham City, struggling at the foot of the Championship, dropping into a southern regional League One alongside the likes of Bromley, Gillingham and Crawley. These matches could bring television interest and ticket sales surging for the smaller sides, offering them a financial shot in the arm. For fans, it’s the chance to see their local team take on a bigger club, perhaps even a former Premier League outfit, under the floodlights.
It’s not just about logistics and costs—it’s about revitalising interest at the grassroots level of professional football. The National League’s regional structure works well, so why not extend that thinking to the EFL? It would help level the playing field, promote sustainability, and bring fans back into the conversation in a tangible way.
Why Not?
Of course, there are counterarguments to consider. Chief among them is the practical challenge of drawing the geographical dividing line. One season, Lincoln might fall into the northern region; the next, depending on promotions and relegations, they could be lumped into the south. Clubs near the centre of the country could face yearly uncertainty about who they’ll be playing and where. There could also be concerns over fairness in competition—what if one region is significantly stronger than the other?
But those are solvable problems. Clear, consistent criteria could be drawn up to decide regional allocations, and periodic reviews could ensure competitive balance. What matters more is the long-term health of the Football League, the sustainability of its clubs, and the experiences of the fans who support them.
Re-regionalising the lower leagues wouldn’t be a step back—it would be a nod to a sensible past, tailored for a challenging present. It would reignite local rivalries, reduce financial burdens, and make supporting your club—home or away—a little more affordable and a lot more exciting.
And in a football world dominated by global TV deals and billionaire ownerships, isn’t it time we put the fans—and their journeys—first again?
