How Chesterfield could still avoid relegation from National League if they finish fourth bottom

Chesterfield could still avoid relegation from the National League even if they finish fourth bottom of the division this season.
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The Football Association is believed to be due to make a decison on how many teams will be relegated from the fifth tier this campaign.

Ordinarily four teams would be relegated from the National League but after Bury FC were expelled from the Football League in August it means only one club will come down from League Two.

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However, two teams will still be promoted from the National League this season which means the division would be unbalanced for the next campaign with 23 teams instead of 24.

One way the problem could be resolved is by only having three relegation spots in the National League this season, which is what happened last year when fourth-bottom Aldershot Town were saved from the drop at the expense of Gateshead who were expelled.

The Spireites currently sit fourth bottom of the league which could be enough to beat the drop if the FA decide only three teams will go down.

Commenting on the possibility of only three teams being relegated from the league, Spireites caretaker manager, John Pemberton, said: "If we aim to get out of the bottom four then if it happens we won't be in the bottom three so it does not make any difference either way.

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"We want to keep that pressure on; we want to get out of the bottom four.

Chesterfield slipped to three points from safety in the National League after a 3-0 defeat at Notts County last Saturday.Chesterfield slipped to three points from safety in the National League after a 3-0 defeat at Notts County last Saturday.
Chesterfield slipped to three points from safety in the National League after a 3-0 defeat at Notts County last Saturday.

"Even if it is the bottom three it does not make it any easier.

“Fylde have got two games in hand so we have still got to win football matches so at the moment we are concentrating on getting out of the bottom four.”

He added: "They (FA) are talking about it. I have known for the last few weeks. It has been in the pipeline whether it would be three go down or four go down but until they make that make decision we are working on the basis that four go down so we have got to get out of the bottom four.”