NEXT summer’s major non-League shake-up will result in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division being shrunk from 22 to 20 teams for 2018/19.

In a bid to encourage more Step 5 (Wessex Premier level) clubs to climb the pyramid, two new divisions are being introduced higher up.

The Isthmian League will manage and control a new Step 4 division (equivalent of Evo-Stik South West), while the Southern League will have a new Step 3 division (equivalent of Evo-Stik South Premier) under their charge.

The FA's first major restructuring of the game since 2004, it aims to iron out geographical anomalies and cut down on travelling costs for clubs and fans alike.

In total 276 clubs currently playing in Steps 1-4 will increase by 20 to 296.

The reshuffle will see the three current Step 3 divisions of 24 clubs grow to four divisions of 22, while the six Step 4 divisions currently run by the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian leagues will rise from 136 clubs playing in six divisions to seven 20-strong divisions.

To achieve that aim, only the bottom clubs in the current Step 3 divisions will be relegated at the end of 2017/18.

In addition, only the clubs finishing last in the six existing Step 4 divisions will be relegated next term, with 26 clubs coming up from Step 5.

Ian Hoare, chairman of the Sydenhams Wessex League, told Monday’s secretaries and chairs meeting: “There are huge changes to the pyramid coming with new divisions at Steps 3 and 4.

“They’re going to be looking for a lot of teams and, in my opinion, we’ll lose three from our Premier Division to help them make up the numbers.

“We will go to 20 Premier Division teams in 2018/19 and hopefully 20 in Division One. That’s the new numbers at our level.”

Warning his member clubs to brace themselves for change, Hoare added: “Whatever they (the FA) do, please don’t be surprised.

“But as long as we’ve got 20 Premier clubs, we will still operate with three up, three down.”

John Ward, FA Council Representative, confirmed: “It’s quite possible you (the Wessex League) will lose two clubs to promotion dependant on what happens above. There will be some demotions and some reprieves.

“The maximum number of clubs will be 20 at Step 5 and 18-20 at Step 6. If leagues want 20 at Step 6, it’s up to them to fight for that.”