The 2009–10 Football Conference season was the sixth season with the Football Conference consisting of three divisions, and the thirty-first season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football in England. The Conference Premier was the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the Conference North and Conference South existed at the sixth level. The top team (Stevenage Borough) and the winner of the play-off (Oxford United) of the National division were promoted to Football League Two. The bottom four were scheduled to be relegated to the North or South divisions, but in the event two teams (Salisbury City and Chester City) were expelled and only the bottom two clubs (Ebbsfleet United and Grays Athletic) were relegated with them. The champions of the North and South divisions (Southport and Newport County respectively) were promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division (Fleetwood Town and Bath City). The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions were relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League or Southern League. For sponsorship reasons, the Conference Premier was frequently referred to as the Blue Square Premier.

Conference Premier

A total of 24 teams contested the division, including 18 sides from last season, two relegated from the Football League Two, two promoted from the Conference North and two promoted from the Conference South.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Conference North

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Conference South

Teams relegated from 2008–09 League Two

Luton Town became the first team to drop from the Football League Championship to the Conference in successive seasons and in the process ended an 89-year stay in the Football League. Their matches against eventual playoff winners Oxford United made them the first clubs to face each other in all the top five tiers of English football.

On 26 February 2010, Chester City were expelled from the Conference for numerous rule breaches. Since no appeal was forthcoming, their results were expunged on 8 March 2010.

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Stevenage Borough (C, P)4430957924+5599Promotion to Football League Two
2Luton Town44261088440+4488Qualification for the Conference Premier play-offs
3Oxford United (O, P)44251186431+3386
4Rushden & Diamonds44221397739+3879
5York City442212106235+2778
6Kettering Town441812145141+1066
7Crawley Town44199165057−766
8AFC Wimbledon441810166147+1464
9Mansfield Town441711166960+962
10Cambridge United441514156553+1259
11Wrexham441513164539+658
12Salisbury City (D, R)44215185863−558Demoted to the Southern League Premier Division
13Kidderminster Harriers441512175752+557
14Altrincham441315165351+254
15Barrow441313185067−1752
16Tamworth441116174252−1049
17Hayes & Yeading United441212205985−2648
18Histon441113204467−2346
19Eastbourne Borough441113204272−3046
20Gateshead44137244669−2345
21Forest Green Rovers44129235076−2645
22Ebbsfleet United (R)44128245082−3244Relegation to Conference South
23Grays Athletic (R)44513263591−5626Relegation to the Isthmian League Division One North
24Chester City (E, R)00000000Club expelled and folded

Play-offs

SemifinalsFinal at Wembley
5York City112
2Luton Town000
5York City1
3Oxford United3
4Rushden & Diamonds101
3Oxford United123

Semifinals

York City1–0Luton Town
Brodie 90'
Luton Town0–1York City
Carruthers 47'

York City won 2–0 on Aggregate.

Rushden & Diamonds1–1Oxford United
Byrne 51'Constable 29'
Oxford United2–0Rushden & Diamonds
Green 53' Constable 57'

Oxford United won 3–1 on Aggregate.

Play-Off Final

Oxford United3–1York City
Green 15' Constable 20' Potter 90'Clarke 42' (o.g.)

Stadia and locations

2009–10 Football Conference is located in England
Locations of the Conference Premier 2009–10 teams
TeamStadiumCapacity
WrexhamRacecourse Ground15,550
Oxford UnitedKassam Stadium12,500
GatesheadGateshead International Stadium11,800
Luton TownKenilworth Road10,226
Mansfield TownField Mill10,000
Cambridge UnitedAbbey Stadium9,617
York CityBootham Crescent9,196
Stevenage BoroughThe Lamex Stadium7,100
Hayes & Yeading UnitedChurch Road6,500
Rushden & DiamondsNene Park6,441
Kidderminster HarriersAggborough6,238
Kettering TownRockingham Road6,170
AltrinchamMoss Lane6,085
ChesterDeva Stadium5,328
Forest Green RoversThe New Lawn5,147
Ebbsfleet UnitedStonebridge Road5,011
Crawley TownBroadfield Stadium4,996
AFC WimbledonKingsmeadow4,720
BarrowHolker Street4,256
Eastbourne BoroughPriory Lane4,134
Grays AthleticNew Recreation Ground4,100
TamworthThe Lamb Ground4,000
HistonBridge Road3,800
Salisbury CityRaymond McEnhill Stadium3,500

Results

Home \ AwayWIMALTBRWCAMCHRCRAEABEBBFGRGATGRYH&YHISKETKIDLUTMANOXFR&DSALSTBTAMWREYOR
AFC Wimbledon1–10–20–01–12–03–02–02–00–25–04–01–20–11–12–00–10–14–00–30–12–20–1
Altrincham0–10–10–20–03–01–12–23–21–13–22–12–03–20–11–20–12–25–00–10–01–30–0
Barrow2–20–30–14–13–22–01–13–32–21–10–00–21–00–13–11–11–60–10–01–02–10–0
Cambridge United2–20–00–20–10–14–07–03–03–04–12–10–22–03–43–21–12–23–11–32–02–00–1
Chester
Crawley Town2–11–00–11–02–22–13–11–41–11–02–02–12–22–10–21–22–12–00–32–01–03–1
Eastbourne Borough1–02–22–12–20–21–21–02–12–23–11–10–10–00–11–21–01–10–10–61–12–13–1
Ebbsfleet United2–21–21–41–30–03–24–32–02–11–20–11–20–01–62–10–20–01–22–10–10–11–0
Forest Green Rovers2–54–31–01–11–01–10–01–02–10–02–01–21–10–11–40–11–03–10–13–40–22–1
Gateshead1–01–02–12–02–13–01–33–13–00–00–30–20–20–11–30–10–02–10–11–11–01–2
Grays Athletic2–40–33–32–02–31–00–32–10–00–00–10–01–30–21–10–40–30–21–21–00–20–4
Hayes & Yeading United1–01–21–13–02–11–14–22–33–24–00–21–22–22–31–12–11–63–41–12–20–11–1
Histon1–30–02–21–10–12–01–05–20–00–03–31–01–10–20–53–40–12–00–21–00–01–1
Kettering Town1–22–02–10–11–14–03–00–24–02–00–11–10–20–02–21–10–31–21–10–02–20–1
Kidderminster Harriers0–13–01–21–01–00–22–22–13–24–11–03–00–11–23–13–11–10–10–20–02–00–1
Luton Town1–20–01–02–23–04–12–32–12–16–08–06–30–13–14–12–10–24–00–12–11–01–1
Mansfield Town0–11–14–12–14–01–13–01–00–20–03–11–10–03–30–02–13–24–22–30–00–10–1
Oxford United2–01–01–00–03–14–04–20–02–15–01–22–01–10–02–02–01–01–02–10–11–02–1
Rushden & Diamonds0–10–14–11–11–12–02–04–28–05–42–12–10–02–11–11–01–10–21–03–20–00–1
Salisbury City0–24–13–02–12–21–13–11–30–12–03–13–02–01–01–10–11–11–30–11–01–11–0
Stevenage Borough0–01–14–04–12–02–03–02–05–31–14–01–02–02–00–13–11–02–13–11–10–01–0
Tamworth2–20–23–00–00–11–13–40–01–02–10–21–31–32–11–12–40–00–12–01–02–12–3
Wrexham1–01–10–02–22–03–01–11–00–02–10–23–01–22–23–02–10–10–11–20–10–01–0
York City5–02–13–02–22–00–11–02–01–01–14–13–12–03–20–03–01–10–01–21–11–12–1

Season statistics

Top scorers

Updated to games played on 24 April.

PosPlayerTeamGoals
1Richard BrodieYork City26
Matt TubbsSalisbury City
3Tom CraddockLuton Town23
4James ConstableOxford United22
5Danny KedwellAFC Wimbledon21
6Danny CrowCambridge United19
7Jake SpeightMansfield Town17
8Moses Ashikodi*Ebbsfleet United16
Kevin GallenLuton Town
Magno VieiraEbbsfleet United
11Daryl Clare**Gateshead15
Chris SeniorAltrincham
13Rob DuffyMansfield Town14
Yemi OdubadeStevenage Borough
Lee TomlinRushden & Diamonds

Scoring

Discipline

Sequences

  • Longest winning run: 9 games – Luton Town, ended 10 April 2010.
  • Longest unbeaten run: 17 games – Stevenage Borough, ended 1 December 2009.
  • Longest losing run: 8 games – Grays Athletic, ended 27 February 2010.
  • Longest run without winning: 20 games – Grays Athletic, ended 13 April 2010.
  • Longest run of successive home wins: 7 games Luton Town – from 9 March 2010 to 17 April 2010. Stevenage Borough – from 1 January 2010 to 3 April 2010.
  • Longest run of successive away wins: 8 games – Stevenage Borough, from 24 February 2010 until end of season.

Clean sheets

Monthly awards

MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the Month
ManagerClubPlayerClub
AugustChris WilderOxford UnitedGeorge PilkingtonLuton Town
SeptemberChris WilderOxford UnitedRyan ClarkeOxford United
OctoberDavid HoldsworthMansfield TownPaul FarmanGateshead
NovemberMartin FoyleYork CityRichard BrodieYork City
DecemberTerry BrownAFC WimbledonSeb BrownAFC Wimbledon
JanuaryGraham WestleyStevenage BoroughMagno VieiraEbbsfleet United
FebruarySteve BurrKidderminster HarriersChris SeniorAltrincham
MarchRichard MoneyLuton TownClaude GnakpaLuton Town
AprilTommy WiddringtonSalisbury CityMark RobertsStevenage Borough

Conference North

A total of 22 teams contested the division, including 17 sides from last season, one relegated from the Conference Premier and four promoted from the lower leagues.

In April 2009, the Conference decided to demote King's Lynn at the end of the 2008–09 season, because their ground did not meet Conference standards. Farsley Celtic resigned from the league on 8 March 2010 and their playing record was expunged on 12 March. Both Harrogate Town and Vauxhall Motors were reprieved from relegation following Farsley Celtic's withdrawal from the league, Chester's expulsion from the Conference Premier and Northwich Victoria's demotion to the Northern Premier League under financial rules.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Northern Premier League Premier Division

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Southern League Premier Division

Teams relegated from 2008–09 Conference Premier

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Southport (C, P)40251149145+4686Promotion to Conference Premier
2Fleetwood Town (O, P)4026778644+4285Qualification for the Conference North play-offs
3Alfreton Town40211187745+3274
4Workington402010104637+970
5Droylsden401810128262+2064
6Corby Town40189137362+1163
7Hinckley United401614106052+862
8Ilkeston Town401613115345+861
9Stalybridge Celtic40167177164+755
10Eastwood Town40159165055−554
11AFC Telford United40149175255−351
12Northwich Victoria (D, R)401513126255+748Demoted to the Northern Premier League Premier Division
13Blyth Spartans40139186772−548
14Gainsborough Trinity401211175057−747
15Hyde United401112174572−2745
16Stafford Rangers401014165970−1144
17Solihull Moors40119204758−1142
18Gloucester City40126224759−1242
19Redditch United40108224983−3438
20Vauxhall Motors40714194581−3635Reprived from relegation
21Harrogate Town4086264180−3930
22Farsley Celtic (E, R)00000000Club resigned and folded

Play-offs

SemifinalsFinal
5Droylsden21(3)3
2Fleetwood Town03(4)3
2Fleetwood Town2
3Alfreton Town1
4Workington011
3Alfreton Town134

Semifinals

Droylsden2–0Fleetwood Town
Meechan 71' Gray 81'
Fleetwood Town3–1Droylsden
Milligan 42' Seddon 45' Grand 110'Roche 113'
Penalties
Barry Rogan4–3Smith Brownhill

Fleetwood Town won 4–3 on penalties after tying 3–3 on Aggregate.

Workington0–1Alfreton Town
Hearn 54'
Alfreton Town3–1Workington
Ross 37' Clayton 48', 87'Arnison 12'

Alfreton Town won 4–1 on Aggregate.

Play-Off Final

Fleetwood Town2–1Alfreton Town
Seddon 10' Thorpe 82'Todd 80' (pen.)

Stadia and locations

2009–10 Football Conference is located in England
Locations of the Conference North 2009–10 teams
TeamStadiumCapacity
Stalybridge CelticBower Fold6,500
AFC Telford UnitedNew Bucks Head6,300
SouthportHaig Avenue6,008
Redditch UnitedThe Valley5,000
Gloucester CityThe Corinium Stadium4,500
Northwich VictoriaVictoria Stadium4,500
Blyth SpartansCroft Park4,450
Hinckley UnitedDe Montfort Park4,329
Gainsborough TrinityThe Northolme4,304
Stafford RangersMarston Road4,150
Hyde UnitedEwen Fields4,100
Farsley CelticThrostle Nest3,900
Fleetwood TownHighbury Stadium3,663
Alfreton TownNorth Street3,600
Ilkeston TownNew Manor Ground3,500
Harrogate TownWetherby Road3,300
WorkingtonBorough Park3,101
Solihull MoorsDamson Park3,050
Corby TownRockingham Triangle3,000
DroylsdenButcher's Arms Ground3,000
Eastwood TownCoronation Park2,500
Vauxhall MotorsRivacre Park2,500

Results

Home \ AwayTELALFBLYCORDROEASFARFLEGAIGLOHARHINHYDILKNORREDSOLSOUSTASTLVAUWRK
AFC Telford United2–01–12–41–21–10–02–20–12–12–24–00–01–23–00–00–22–10–15–11–0
Alfreton Town4–01–01–05–01–11–41–03–13–13–24–02–03–23–03–01–13–13–52–22–0
Blyth Spartans4–02–01–22–21–32–32–10–31–06–14–31–40–11–02–00–22–24–13–20–0
Corby Town1–21–24–21–01–10–22–23–63–01–12–02–21–02–21–21–13–25–14–10–2
Droylsden1–50–02–11–20–12–04–12–25–00–01–02–05–16–15–30–37–13–21–10–1
Eastwood Town1–12–14–20–12–10–11–00–31–01–02–00–31–13–12–10–30–01–30–01–2
Farsley Celtic
Fleetwood Town3–12–24–24–23–03–12–23–12–23–11–11–00–38–03–04–02–12–04–24–0
Gainsborough Trinity0–13–22–02–04–21–42–01–01–11–12–10–01–43–00–02–41–31–32–00–1
Gloucester City0–11–23–11–21–41–31–21–00–13–52–00–10–12–01–02–22–01–21–00–2
Harrogate Town0–30–42–50–42–20–10–12–01–13–12–00–12–13–20–12–31–40–43–01–2
Hinckley United2–02–11–11–11–10–00–22–01–03–21–21–01–15–10–34–13–10–01–11–2
Hyde United1–11–50–31–32–11–02–14–21–11–03–21–11–13–21–11–11–02–12–20–2
Ilkeston Town2–10–02–13–21–01–00–10–00–03–30–11–11–13–21–03–22–33–24–01–3
Northwich Victoria2–01–15–12–22–54–40–30–11–03–20–13–14–10–22–01–12–22–10–02–3
Redditch United3–03–02–21–01–31–20–00–34–12–00–20–02–21–11–42–21–21–41–12–1
Solihull Moors0–11–11–13–01–22–11–20–10–11–02–43–00–31–11–21–11–12–24–01–2
Southport3–01–33–24–03–35–15–00–03–23–11–14–11–12–12–03–04–22–13–02–0
Stafford Rangers2–01–11–10–22–23–32–22–11–01–02–31–10–12–20–12–31–21–23–12–0
Stalybridge Celtic0–30–10–11–32–21–02–33–24–13–00–02–41–01–13–04–10–12–23–12–2
Vauxhall Motors3–11–11–12–41–23–22–12–20–01–21–11–04–21–00–50–21–32–23–21–1
Workington2–10–13–11–10–11–01–01–12–01–10–12–20–00–11–01–00–21–11–01–0

Monthly awards

MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the Month
ManagerClubPlayerClub
AugustPaul CoxEastwood TownCiaran KilheeneySouthport
SeptemberSteve BurrStalybridge CelticDan LowsonIlkeston Town
OctoberLiam WatsonSouthportMark DanksNorthwich Victoria
NovemberDean ThomasHinckley UnitedAdam WebsterHinckley United
DecemberSteve BurrStalybridge CelticAndy DucrosRedditch United
JanuaryDarren EdmondsonWorkingtonNick RoganFleetwood Town
FebruaryNicky LawAlfreton TownAndy BrownAFC Telford United
MarchBrian LittleGainsborough TrinityAdam WarlowFleetwood Town

Conference South

A total of 22 teams contested the division, including 17 sides from last season, three relegated from the Conference Premier and two promoted from the Isthmian League.

Team Bath announced that they were to leave the Football Conference from the end of the 2008–09 season. The club decided to fold, after being informed they could not be promoted to the professional leagues, which also led to them no longer being able to play FA Cup games. Thus Thurrock were reprieved from relegation.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Isthmian League Premier Division

Teams relegated from 2008–09 Conference Premier

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Newport County (C, P)4232739326+67103Promotion to Conference Premier
2Dover Athletic42229116647+1975Qualification for the Conference South play-offs
3Chelmsford City42229116248+1475
4Bath City (O, P)422012106646+2072
5Woking42219125744+1372
6Havant & Waterlooville42191496544+2171
7Braintree Town42181775641+1571
8Staines Town421813115940+1967
9Welling United42189156651+1563
10Thurrock421613136660+661
11Eastleigh42179167166+560
12Bromley421510176864+455
13St Albans City421510174555−1055
14Hampton & Richmond Borough42149195666−1051
15Basingstoke Town421310194968−1949
16Maidenhead United421212185259−748
17Dorchester Town42139205674−1848
18Bishop's Stortford421211194859−1147
19Lewes42915184963−1442
20Worcester City421010224860−1240Reprived from relegation, then transferred to Conference North
21Weston-super-Mare4258294893−4523Reprived from relegation
22Weymouth (R)42573031103−7222Relegation to the Southern League Premier Division

Play-offs

SemifinalsFinal
5Woking202
2Dover Athletic101
4Bath City1
5Woking0
4Bath City213
3Chelmsford City000

Semifinals

Woking2–1Dover Athletic
Ademola 17' Wright 40'Schulz 3'
Dover Athletic0–0Woking

Woking won 2–1 on Aggregate.

Bath City2–0Chelmsford City
Mohamed 60' Mackie 87'
Chelmsford City0–1Bath City
Mohamed 53'

Bath City won 3–0 on Aggregate.

Play-Off Final

Bath City1–0Woking
Mohamed 56' (pen.)

Stadia and locations

2009–10 Football Conference is located in England
Locations of the Conference South 2009–10 teams
TeamStadiumCapacity
Bath CityTwerton Park8,800
Dover AthleticCrabble Stadium6,500
WeymouthThe Wessex Stadium6,500
WokingKingfield Stadium6,036
Basingstoke TownThe Camrose6,000
Havant & WaterloovilleWest Leigh Park5,250
Dorchester TownAvenue Stadium5,009
BromleyHayes Lane5,000
Worcester CitySt George's Lane4,749
Newport CountyNewport Stadium4,700
St Albans CityClarence Park4,500
Welling UnitedPark View Road4,500
Braintree TownCressing Road4,145
Bishop's StortfordWoodside Park4,000
ThurrockShip Lane3,500
Weston-super-MareWoodspring Stadium3,500
Chelmsford CityMelbourne Stadium3,000
EastleighSilverlake Stadium3,000
Hampton & RichmondBeveree Stadium3,000
LewesThe Dripping Pan3,000
Maidenhead UnitedYork Road3,000
Staines TownWheatsheaf Park3,000

Results

Home \ AwayBASBATBSTBRABROCHEDORDOVEASH&RH&WLEWMDHNPCSACSTATHUWELWSMWEYWOKWRC
Basingstoke Town1–00–20–12–32–12–11–30–11–21–11–10–01–51–10–10–41–11–12–11–20–1
Bath City4–32–22–40–01–02–00–00–21–31–11–11–01–10–02–01–02–11–02–05–01–1
Bishop's Stortford0–21–50–03–00–12–00–20–10–11–00–01–20–02–02–20–00–43–00–10–32–1
Braintree Town1–22–02–01–12–12–01–21–11–10–23–02–01–22–22–03–11–01–03–21–00–0
Bromley2–01–21–11–13–33–12–23–01–20–23–01–22–32–00–22–30–11–14–03–12–0
Chelmsford City1–24–33–01–11–21–01–12–21–01–12–11–10–02–00–11–03–12–22–10–21–0
Dorchester Town6–12–22–05–00–00–31–31–22–14–31–14–20–03–02–21–01–24–20–01–11–1
Dover Athletic2–32–12–00–01–00–14–12–14–24–02–01–11–21–10–01–02–05–32–00–20–2
Eastleigh6–01–11–11–26–13–12–01–20–00–11–00–31–40–10–02–81–33–14–00–24–1
Hampton & Richmond0–13–11–32–20–22–11–21–44–11–11–24–00–43–01–41–12–22–13–00–22–2
Havant & Waterlooville0–22–22–11–12–15–20–12–12–21–11–11–04–00–11–01–12–26–03–11–13–2
Lewes0–01–22–12–21–00–25–06–21–21–00–31–20–30–01–11–13–12–01–10–23–3
Maidenhead United3–21–24–00–04–00–21–20–00–32–10–21–11–30–32–10–22–00–01–11–21–1
Newport County1–01–01–01–02–04–03–03–05–13–12–02–24–15–01–05–02–22–01–11–01–0
St Albans City2–00–22–41–12–00–12–11–22–11–21–11–11–00–11–31–01–22–12–10–12–0
Staines Town0–11–12–22–12–20–13–00–01–24–01–22–11–11–04–33–01–13–03–13–00–1
Thurrock0–03–12–21–23–61–15–20–23–20–20–03–12–22–10–01–23–22–12–12–22–1
Welling United1–10–20–20–00–20–11–10–11–22–01–01–03–10–23–23–02–23–17–11–21–0
Weston-super-Mare1–10–21–31–23–31–20–23–12–21–11–23–21–41–42–30–11–31–23–01–13–1
Weymouth0–60–22–61–11–51–42–01–20–51–00–13–10–51–30–21–20–00–31–20–02–1
Woking4–21–31–00–02–11–23–12–00–03–12–02–01–10–10–10–00–10–52–14–01–0
Worcester City1–10–21–12–31–21–24–01–04–10–10–21–21–01–40–00–01–20–14–13–13–2

Monthly awards

MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the Month
ManagerClubPlayerClub
AugustFrank GrayBasingstoke TownManny WilliamsHavant & Waterlooville
SeptemberDean HoldsworthNewport CountyCraig ReidNewport County
OctoberAlan DevonshireHampton & Richmond BoroughWill HendryMaidenhead United
NovemberDean HoldsworthNewport CountyTom WhitnellWelling United
DecemberGlenn PennyfatherChelmsford CityCharlie HenryNewport County
JanuarySteve CorderyStaines TownSam FoleyNewport County
FebruaryDean HoldsworthNewport CountyMitchell BryantBasingstoke Town
MarchGlenn PennyfatherChelmsford CityLee ClarkeWelling United