An examination of the 74 clubs who have applied for elevation to Step 4 shows it includes several clubs who in the recent past have replaced other clubs from their town. These include Barking, Bridgewater, Wellingborough and Witney. There are also four former Isthmian League clubs who were placed in the feeder leagues when its Second Division closed in 2006.

Perhaps understandably ambition remains high. However, is now is the time to prevent clubs who ground share from elevated although this would exclude the phenomenon that is FC United, the club formed by dissident Manchester United supporters who opposed the Glazer family takeover at Old Trafford.

By league the applications are:
Combined Counties League (8)
Eastern Counties League (2)
Essex Senior League (5)
Hellenic League (5)
Kent League (6)
Midland Football Alliance (9)
North West Counties League (12)
Northern Counties East League (12)
Northern League (3)
Spartan South Midlands League (5)
Sussex County League (2)
United Counties League (1)
Wessex League (3)
Western League (1)