Following the Annual General Meeting of the Conference Board, held this morning, the make-up of next season's Conference has now been confirmed. The big news is that the bad boys of the league, Boston United, will not be allowed to participate, and they have been demoted to the Conference North. This means that Altrincham, who occupied the fourth relegation place last season, have been reprieved and will take the Pilgrims' place.

Boston were promoted from the Conference in controversial circumstances in 2002, when they pipped last season's champions, Dagenham & Redbridge, on goal difference, amid accusations of cheating over payments to their players by then manager Steve Evans, who has now been appointed boss of Crawley Town. Many thought that it was poetic justice that Dagenham replaced Boston in the Football League this season, but Boston continued to earn the wrath of the football world by entering into administration during their final match of last season, a 3-1 defeat at Wrexham, thereby receiving their ten-point deduction last season, when they were already relegated, rather than starting this season on minus ten. There won't be that many tears shed for Boston's latest punishment, even if it seems unfair. However, the club is in severe financial trouble, and could well have failed to fulfil its fixtures in the Conference National if it had been allowed to compete.

With Altrincham replacing Boston, this means that United now have three matches in the Manchester area, with Northwich Victoria and promoted Droyslden up there, along with three games in Yorkshire, with Farsley Celtic joining Halifax and York City. Torquay United's relegation, and Exeter City's defeat in the play-off final, means that there are three trips to the far south west, where Weymouth are also located. Following St Albans' relegation, the nearest Conference club to Oxford is now Woking, 58 miles away, just one mile closer than Forest Green Rovers. Rushden & Diamonds and new opponents Salisbury City are equidistant, both 64 miles away, three miles closer than Aldershot. York are United's furthest trip, 202 miles away, with Halifax just two miles closer.