STRATFORD Town will face eight new teams in the Southern League Premier Central next season after the FA released the National League System club allocations for steps one to six.
The Bards enjoyed a fine second half of the 2022/23 season under manager Gavin Hurren to climb out of the relegation zone and up to 14th in the table.
Stratford can look forward to matches against the likes of Leamington and Bromsgrove Sporting with the former one of eight new teams who have either been promoted or relegated into the division.
And all three teams relegated into the division have come down from the National League North as Leamington, AFC Telford United and Kettering Town endured tough 2022/23 campaigns.
They join the five newly-promoted teams as AFC Sudbury, Berkhamsted, Halesowen Town, Long Eaton United and Stamford all excelled last season to reach step three.
The rest of the 22-team league is made up of Alvechurch, Barwell, Coalville Town, Hitchin Town, Leiston, Mickleover, Needham Market, Nuneaton Borough, Redditch United, Royston Town, St Ives Town and Stourbridge.
All leagues are subject to FA Council ratification.
