The 2008-09 Football Conference

Football Conference

The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...

 season was the fifth season with the Conference consisting of three divisions, and the thirtieth season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football

Non-league football

Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...

 in England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

. The Conference National

Conference National

Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...

 is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid

English football league system

The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...

, whilst the Conference North

Conference North

The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...

 and Conference South

Conference South

Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...

 exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the playoff of the National division were promoted to Football League Two

Football League Two

Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....

, while the bottom four were relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions were promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions were relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League

Northern Premier League

The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...

, Isthmian League

Isthmian League

The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...

 or Southern League

Southern Football League

The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...

. For sponsorship reasons, the Conference National is frequently referred to as the Blue Square

Blue square

Blue square may refer to:*a gambling company owned by The Rank Group*a rating for ski trails* Blue Square - Israel, an Israeli company operating multiple supermarket chains....

 Premier.

Conference National

For the start of the 2008-09 season, six new teams were playing in the Football Conference:

• Barrow
  Barrow A.F.C.
  Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
  
  , promoted from the Conference North
  Conference North
  The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
  
  
• Eastbourne Borough
  Eastbourne Borough F.C.
  Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
  
  , promoted from the Conference South
  Conference South
  Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
  
  
• Kettering Town
  Kettering Town F.C.
  Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
  
  , promoted from the Conference North
• Mansfield Town
  Mansfield Town F.C.
  Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
  
  , relegated from League Two
• Lewes
  Lewes F.C.
  Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Dripping Pan.-History:...
  
  , promoted from the Conference South
• Wrexham, relegated from League Two

Eastbourne, Mansfield, Lewes and Wrexham appear in the Conference National for the first time, whilst Barrow return to the league after ten years. Kettering have three times been runners-up at this level and return to the league after an absence of five years. Altrincham

Altrincham F.C.

Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...

 remain in the Conference after a third consecutive reprieve from relegation, following Halifax Town's demotion for financial reasons.

Football Conference National Results

Play-offs

Top goalscorers

Pos	Player	Team	Goals
1	Andrew Mangan Andrew Mangan Andrew Francis Mangan is an English footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town.-Blackpool:Born in Liverpool, Mangan began his education in football with Blackpool at the age of 15. He was there for three years scoring 49 goals all together in reserve and youth team football...	Forest Green Rovers Forest Green Rovers F.C. Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...	26
2	James Constable James Constable James Ashley Constable is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United as a striker.Constable started his career with the Cirencester Town youth system, before breaking into the first team during the 2002–03 season. He moved to Chippenham Town in 2003, before signing for Walsall in the...	Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...	23
3	Steve Morison Steve Morison Steven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence...	Stevenage Borough Stevenage Borough F.C. Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...	22
4	Charlie Griffin Charlie Griffin Charles John "Charlie" Griffin is an English professional footballer who plays for Forest Green Rovers.Griffin started his career with Bristol Rovers, spending two years at the club and progressing through the club's youth system. He was released at the age of 18 and played part–time football with...	Salisbury City Salisbury City F.C. Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...	21
5	Matthew Barnes-Homer Matthew Barnes-Homer Matthew Brian Barnes-Homer is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Rochdale. He is currently on loan to Rochdale from Conference side Luton Town....	Kidderminster Harriers Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...	20
	Jack Midson	Histon Histon F.C. Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
7	Greg Pearson Greg Pearson Greg Pearson is an English footballer who plays for Aldershot Town on loan from Burton Albion in League Two.His previous clubs include West Ham United, Rushden & Diamonds, and more recently Bishop's Stortford....	Burton Albion Burton Albion F.C. Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...	18
8	Colin Little Colin Little Colin Little is an English footballer currently playing for Witton Albion. He plays as a Striker.-Career:Little began his career in non-League football with Rossendale United before signing for Hyde United....	Altrincham Altrincham F.C. Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...	16
	Justin Richards Justin Richards (footballer) Justin Donovan Richards is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Burton Albion. A striker, he has a tally of around one goal every three games, playing in the Conference and lower reaches of the Football League...	Kidderminster Harriers Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
10	Shaun Harrad Shaun Harrad Shaun Nicholas Harrad is a professional footballer currently playing with Bury in League 1, where he plays as a striker.-Career:...	Burton Albion Burton Albion F.C. Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...	15
	Jefferson Louis Jefferson Louis Jefferson Lee Louis is a footballer who plays for Brackley Town. A forward, he has played in the Football League for Oxford United, Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town, and is a Dominica international.-Club career:...	Wrexham
	Gareth Seddon Gareth Seddon Gareth Anthony Seddon is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Fleetwood Town. He played 79 games in the Football League for Bury.-Early career:...	Kettering Town Kettering Town F.C. Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
	Richard Brodie Richard Brodie (footballer) Richard Jon Brodie is an English footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town as a striker, on loan from Crawley Town.Brodie started his career with Whickham and, after being their top scorer in the 2005–06 season, moved to Newcastle Benfield in 2006...	York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...

Conference North

Droylsden

Droylsden F.C.

Droylsden F.C. is an English football club based in Droylsden, near Manchester. As of the 2011–12 season, they play in the Conference North.-History:...

, Stafford Rangers

Stafford Rangers F.C.

Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...

 and Farsley Celtic, were all relegated to this league from the previous season's Conference National, Droylsden and Farsley having spent just one season in the higher league. Gateshead

Gateshead F.C.

Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....

 and Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town F.C.

Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...

 have been promoted from the Northern Premier League Premier Division

Northern Premier League Premier Division

The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...

, Fleetwood reaching a new high eleven seasons after being re-formed following the bankruptcy of the original Fleetwood Town. King's Lynn

King's Lynn F.C.

King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...

 were promoted to the league from the Southern League Premier Division. Both Boston United

Boston United F.C.

Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...

 and Nuneaton Borough were expelled from the league for financial reasons, resulting in Vauxhall Motors

Vauxhall Motors F.C.

Vauxhall Motors Football Club is an English football club based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, who play in the Conference North. It was originally the works team of the car manufacturer Vauxhall...

 relegation and Redditch United

Redditch United F.C.

Redditch United F.C. is an English football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Valley.-Birmingham Combination:...

's transfer to the Conference South being cancelled.

Conference North Results

Playoffs

Top goalscorers

Pos	Player	Team	Goals
1	Lee Novak Lee Novak Lee Paul Novak is an English footballer who plays for Huddersfield Town in Football League One as a striker.-Early career:...	Gateshead Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....	26
2	Gareth Sheldon Gareth Sheldon Gareth Richard Sheldon is a professional footballer, currently playing for East Midlands Counties Football League side Bardon Hill, where he plays as a striker.- Scunthorpe United :...	Tamworth Tamworth F.C. Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....	23
3	Adam Warlow	Fleetwood Town Fleetwood Town F.C. Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...	19
	Liam Hearn	Alfreton Town Alfreton Town F.C. Alfreton Town F.C. is an English football club based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. The club was reformed after a merger between Alfreton Miners Welfare and Alfreton United in 1959...
5	Chris Simm	Hyde United	18
6	Paul Clayton	Alfreton Town Alfreton Town F.C. Alfreton Town F.C. is an English football club based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. The club was reformed after a merger between Alfreton Miners Welfare and Alfreton United in 1959...	17
7	Ciaran Kilheeney Ciaran Kilheeney Ciaran Kilheeney is an English footballer, currently playing for Droylsden. He is the elder brother of former non-league star Matthew.-Career:Few players in Non-League football are developing a reputation faster than Ciaran...	Southport Southport F.C. Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...	16
	Luke Beckett Luke Beckett Luke John Beckett is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker and is currently without a club. Beckett played in the Football League for ten years notably appearing for Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town and Oldham Athletic, having also played for Chester City, Chesterfield,...	Gainsborough Trinity Gainsborough Trinity F.C. Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
9	Gareth Arnison	Workington	15
	Andy Brown	A.F.C. Telford United A.F.C. Telford United A.F.C. Telford United are an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire, playing in the Conference National league at the fifth level of the English football pyramid. The club plays its home matches in Wellington, which forms part of the new town of Telford...

Conference South

No teams were relegated to the Conference South from the Conference National, so Worcester City

Worcester City F.C.

Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...

 were transferred in from the Conference North. The expulsion of two teams from the Conference North for financial reasons cancelled Redditch United's transfer between the two, and allowed Dorchester Town

Dorchester Town F.C.

Dorchester Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club, based in Dorchester, Dorset, England, and currently playing in the Blue Square Bet South...

 to remain in the Conference South. Chelmsford City

Chelmsford City F.C.

Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:...

 and AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....

 have been promoted to the league from the Isthmian League Premier Division, whilst Team Bath

Team Bath F.C.

Team Bath was an English association football club affiliated with the University of Bath in the city of Bath, Somerset at the turn of the 21st century. The club was formed to allow the players to combine professional football with higher education...

 have been promoted from the Southern League Premier Division. All four clubs are thus new to the Conference South.
|Dissolved=y|club folded end of season

Conference South Results

Playoffs

Top goalscorers

Pos	Player	Team	Goals
1	Jon Main	AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....	33
2	Josh Scott Josh Scott Joshua Daniel "Josh" Scott is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Early career:Scott started his career with non-League club Hayes in the 2003–04 season, before their merger with Yeading into Hayes & Yeading United...	Hayes & Yeading United Hayes & Yeading United F.C. Hayes & Yeading United F.C. are an English football club based in Woking in Surrey. They were formed in May 2007 following a merger of Hayes and Yeading. They play at the Kingfield Stadium agreeing a groundshare with Woking-History:...	22
3	Warren McBean	Bromley Bromley F.C. Bromley Football Club are an English football club based in Bromley, in Greater London, England. They currently play in the Conference South, and play their home matches at Hayes Lane.-Early years:...	21
4	Charlie Sheringham Charlie Sheringham Charles Edward "Charlie" Sheringham is an English footballer who is a striker and currently plays for Bournemouth in the Football League One...	Welling United Welling United F.C. Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...	19
5	Paul Hakim	St. Albans City	18
6	Richard Pacquette Richard Pacquette Richard Francis Pacquette is a footballer who plays for Hayes & Yeading United as a striker.Pacquette started his career with Queens Park Rangers and he made his first team debut towards the end of the 2000–01 season. He had loan spells with Stevenage Borough, Dagenham & Redbridge and Mansfield...	Maidenhead United Maidenhead United F.C. Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...	17
7	Craig Reid Craig Reid (footballer born 1988) Craig Kevin P. Reid is an English footballer who plays for League One side Stevenage as a striker.Reid started his career at Coventry City's youth academy in 2000, spending two years at the club before opting to join Ipswich Town in 2002. He spent two years at Ipswich, and then returned to...	Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...	15
	Dave Rainford Dave Rainford David John Rainford is an English footballer who plays for Chelmsford City in the Conference South. He combines his football with a job as a teacher....	Chelmsford City Chelmsford City F.C. Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:...
	Lawrence Yaku	Hampton & Richmond Borough Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. are an English football club based in the suburb of Hampton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. They were founded in 1921 and formerly known as Hampton F.C. until 1999 when they changed their name in an attempt to draw a wider support base from around the...
10	Marco Adaggio Marco Adaggio Marco Adaggio is an Anglo-Italian association football player who plays for Redditch United.Born to Italian and English parents, Adaggio moved to Shropshire, England aged 11, having spent his earlier childhood in Naples and Rimini, Italy...	Worcester City Worcester City F.C. Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...	14
	Danny Hockton Danny Hockton Danny Hockton , is an English footballer who plays as a striker. Hockton currently plays for Isthmian League Division One South club Faversham Town.-Career:Born in Barking, Essex, who began his career with Millwall...	Braintree Town Braintree Town F.C. Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...