Beckenham Town keep Step 4 status with multiple clubs taking voluntary relegation

Beckenham Town have been given a reprieve from relegation out of the Isthmian Division One after multiple teams requested voluntary relegation from Step 4.

Cirencester, New Salamis and Loughborough Dynamo are some of the teams accepting voluntary relegation after not being able to cope with the financial demands of Step 4 football.

Beckenham Town, who finished 19^th in the Isthmian First Division with only 29 points in 38 games, looked dead and buried, before the news came that other clubs would be taking up their relegation place in the FA’s league allocation annual statement.

CLUB STATEMENT

We have today been advised by the FA that we have been reprieved from relegation, and will once again line up in the @IsthmianLeague Division One South East.

Next year's division line up is below 👇

Where are we looking forward to going Becks fans? 😎 pic.twitter.com/FGSReQbJNt

— Beckenham Town FC (@beckenhamtownfc) May 17, 2024

They now join five other Step 4 teams, including AFC Rushden and Diamonds, who have also been reprieved due to either the folding or voluntary relegation of other clubs.

With almost half a dozen teams being given a relegation reprieve, as well as over half a dozen going bust or requesting relegation all together in Step 4, there are questions over the sustainability of Step 4 football within the UK.

Cirencester Town, who were established in 1889, finished 6^th in their division with 57 points, and over 40 fans expressed their sadness at the news.

This included teams such as Bedford Town, Hertford Town and Cinderford Town all showing how sad they were to see Cirencester move down a division.

Very sorry to read this. Wishing the club, it's great supporters and staff all the very best for the future 💙

— 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | 𝗘𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟵𝟬𝟴 🅿️ (@BedfordTown) May 17, 2024

Sad to see this. Wish you well going forwards

— Hertford Town FC (@HertfordTownFC) May 17, 2024

Sad that it has come to this decision – was looking forward to battling with our old friends from @CirenTownFC again if @FA had made the right decision. All the best from everyone @Cinderford_Town

— Cinderford Town AFC (@Cinderford_Town) May 18, 2024

With almost half a dozen teams being given a relegation reprieve, as well as over half a dozen going bust or requesting relegation all together in Step 4, there are questions over the sustainability of Step 4 football within the UK, especially with teams being forced to travel long distances when placed into leagues not local to them.

One fan, Colin Hamish, said, “Can’t say this is a shock to me, the travelling in the southern league from Evesham to Mousehole is ridiculous!”

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see if more clubs follow suit, hold your heads in shame.”

As more and more teams find themselves in the tricky position of having to volunteer relegation, is it possible for non-league football to continue how it is or will there have to be severe changes up and down the footballing ladder?