In theory a club could therefore field 8 loan players (4 long-term, 4 short-term) in a league game. Clubs with smaller squads will benefit from this as well as clubs with larger squads who will be able to possibly loan out more players.

Loan players are becoming more and more part and parcel of the game as bigger clubs look to loan out their players to gain experience/fitness and the smaller clubs welcome the extra bodies/skill.

Also agreed at the meeting was the decision for 2 teams to be promoted from the Nationwide Conference as from next season. The stumbling block previously had been an agreement for compensation. The chairman agreed a £6million package with each Division 3 team gaining an extra £50,000 a year for the next 5 seasons as compensation for the extra risk of losing their league place. Parachte payments will also be payed to any relegated teams for Division 3.