Local clubs have welcomed the shake-up in non-league football, which got the go ahead last week (writes MIKE SIMMONDS).

The Isthmian League's challenge to the restructuring of the national league system was thrown out by an arbitration tribunal on Thursday.

The Ryman-sponsored league had opposed plans to set up a new Conference North and Conference South to feed into the Nationwide Conference.

It means teams who finish second to 13th in the Ryman Premier League this season will enter the new Conference South. The champions, almost certainly Canvey Island, will go into the top Conference division.

Teams who finish outside this season's relegation places, will still have a chance of making it into the new division via a series of play-offs.

The top seven sides in Division One will be promoted into the reshaped Ryman Premier Division, but the champions will be invited to compete in a play-off for a place in Conference South.

Teams below seventh place will be split by region to play in the Isthmian League Division One or Southern League Division One along with leading teams, like AFC Wimbledon, from feeder leagues.

Nationwide Conference chief executive John Moules said: "Hopefully it will make non-league football more interesting for players and fans."

KINGSTONIAN: Now: 16th Ryman Premier League. Next season: Conference South if they finish in top 13 or qualify through play-offs. Otherwise, Isthmian Premier Division.Secretary Graham Richards said: "There will be a lot of travelling in the Conference South, but if you get into the better leagues it is something you have to do. Going into the new Isthmian Premier Division wouldn't be the end of the world."

Hampton & Richmond: Now: 4th Ryman Division One South. Next season: Isthmian Premier Division if finish in top seven, First Division if they don't. Chairman Graham Woods said: "The priority for us is to keep our top-seven spot, and move into the Ryman Premier Division. The only cost that would increase is travelling, but we would cope with it."

CORINTHIAN CASUALS: Now: 23rd Ryman Division One. Next season: Isthmian Division One.

Manager Mickey Stephens said: "We are very fortunate to be in Ryman Division One South. The restructuring will pool the better sides together and allow teams like us to find our level."