Season 2004–05 Promoted through play-offs Carlisle United Goals scored 1,311 | Direct promotion Barnet Champion Barnet F.C. Matches played 462 | |
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Champions Barnet (2nd Football Conference title) Relegated to Conference North/Conference South Farnborough Town,
Leigh RMI,
Northwich Victoria Promoted for the next season Altrincham,
Grays Athletic,
Southport People also search for 2005–06 Football Conference | ||
The 2004–05 season was the 26th season of the Football Conference, and the 1st season following its expansion from one division to three divisions.
Contents
Overview
This season saw the Conference expanded to three divisions with the addition of the Conference North and Conference South added to the existing (and renamed) Conference National. The North and South Divisions were filled by teams finishing 1st–13th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and 2nd–13th in the Isthmian League Premier Division and Southern League Premier Division the previous season (the champions were all promoted to the Conference National), together with winners of play-offs between the 14–18th placed clubs in the Southern League Premier, 14th–20th in the Isthmian and Northern Premier League Premier, as well as the top clubs from the divisions immediately below.
The Conference National was joined by Carlisle United and York City, who had been relegated from the Football League. Carlisle became the first club to compete in all top five tiers of English football, having reached the old First Division in 1974–75.
In addition to the winners and the teams that qualified for the play-offs, Exeter City fought gallantly in the FA Cup against Manchester United, holding them to a goalless draw in the third round on Old Trafford and finally going down 0–2 on home turf.
Conference National
A total of 22 teams contest the division, including 18 sides from last season, two relegated from the Football League Two, one promoted from the Southern Football League and one promoted from the Isthmian League. Winners and runners-up of Northern Premier League were unable to qualify in Conference National.
Promotion and relegation
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Southern Football League
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Isthmian League
Teams relegated from 2003–04 Football League Third Division
League table
Results
Source: [2] Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Topscorers
Source:
Conference North
First Conference North/South season saw competition of best 44 teams by the results of previous season from Northern Premier League, Southern Football League and Isthmian League, except Crawley Town and Canvey Island, promoted directly to Conference National. Teams were divided by geographical criteria.
Promotion
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Northern Premier League
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Southern Football League
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Isthmian League
League table
Results
Source: Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2005–2006. Glenda Rollin & Jack Rollin (eds.). Headline, 2006.
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Top scorers
Source:
Conference South
First Conference North/South season saw competition of best 44 teams by the results of previous season from Northern Premier League, Southern Football League and Isthmian League, except Crawley Town and Canvey Island, promoted directly to Conference National. Teams were divided by geographical criteria.
Promotion
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Southern Football League
Teams promoted from 2003–04 Isthmian League
Teams relegated from 2003–04 Football Conference
At the start of the season Ford United was given new name Redbridge F.C.
League table
Results
Source: Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2005–2006. Glenda Rollin & Jack Rollin (eds.). Headline, 2005.
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Topscorers
Source: