Non-league line-ups: Great news for Littlehampton Town and Lancing - Chichester City on move

Littlehampton Town’s hoped-for reprieve from relegation from step four to five has been confirmed and they will remain in the Isthmian South Central division next season.

And Lancing will NOT go down from the SCFL Premier to Division 1 despite finishing second from bottom.

The good news for the pair came with the FA’s announcement of all the line-ups for steps three to six divisions.

There is one remaining either/or – Guernsey and Peacehaven & Telscombe have yet to play their SCFL Premier play-off final – the winners of the May 23 clash will be in the Isthmian SE for next season and the losers will stay in the SCFL Premier.

There’s a surprise move for Chichester City – they have been moved sideways from one step three league to another, from the Isthmian Premier to the Southern League Premier South. The move will mean some long trips west for City in what will be their third year at step three.

Littlehampton’s reprieve is not a big surprise – the Marigolds themselves felt they were in prime position to be saved because of their points-per-game record of all the step four sides who finished in top relegation zone positions across the country.

There was always likely to be one club to be reprieved at step four because of a step three club – Widnes – who quit their league at the start of the season.

Littlehampton Town general manager James Askew said: “Naturally, we are pleased to have retained our Step 4 status and grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Isthmian League South Central Division again next season.

“Everyone at the club is working hard behind the scenes to ensure we are prepared for the new campaign. I would also like to thank our supporters, volunteers and sponsors for their outstanding backing throughout a difficult season. Their support never wavered and we are looking forward to moving forward together.”

Here’s a league by league guide to where Sussex clubs will play in 26-27, including some of the new opponents they will face:

National League – Worthing take their place at the top table – with Hornchurch, Kidderninster and AFC Fylde also going up and Barrow and Harrogate coming down from League Two.

National South – Horsham are now the only Sussex club at step two – among new opponents there for them will be Billericay, Farnham, Folkestone and Walton and Hersham.

Isthmian Premier – Eastbourne Borough go down into this division, Three Bridges go up into it – while Lewes, Burgess Hill and Whitehawk all remain in it. But Chi City have moved out of it because of the geographical make-up of different steps.

Southern Premier South – The new home for Chichester City, where opponents will include Gosport Boro, Bath City, Gloucester City and Havant and Waterlooville.

Isthmian South Central – Littlehampton stay, and so do Bognor, who might have been moved to the Isthmian SE. New to the Isthmian SC are Jersey Bulls and Winchester City.

Isthmian South East – The step four home for most Sussex clubs on this rung of the ladder. Steyning go up into it, as will the winners of the Guernsey-Peacehaven game, and Broadbridge Heath, Crowborough, Eastbourne Town and Hastings stay in.

SCFL Premier – East Grinstead and Hassocks move into this league from the Isthmian SE, Lancing stay thanks to a reprieve and Billingshurst move into it.

SCFL Division 1 – Westfield and Hailsham are promoted into it, Shoreham are relegated into it and other new names include Clanfield, Dial Square (us neither!) and Guildford City.