Non-League football

In most cases, this was a mere formality; member clubs would typically vote for other existing members and the system ensured that Football League membership remained relatively static, with non-League clubs having very little chance of joining.

Since the process began, thirteen non-League clubs had achieved enough votes to win election as a member of the Football League.

However, a major change came in 1986 when automatic promotion and relegation of one club between the League and the Football Conference, the top league in non-League football, was introduced, subject to the eligible club meeting the required facility and financial standards.

Many non-League clubs enter the FA Cup, where they hope to become "giant-killers" by progressing from the qualifying rounds, and first and second rounds proper, to meet and beat opposition from the Premier League or EFL Championship.

The Football Association Challenge Trophy was introduced in 1969 to offer semi-professional non-League clubs a realistic chance of winning an FA competition.

Formerly it referred to the clubs in the FA Women's Premier League's two regional second divisions.

The highest level of regional leagues, called Regionalliga, may or may not be included in the term.

These consist of a number of regional senior leagues which are part of the Scottish football pyramid system.