THE Evo-Stik Southern league is changing which means Salisbury FC’s chances of promotion have doubled.

The league have announced that two clubs will be promoted automatically from the two regional divisions.

There will now be 19 clubs promoted every season from Step 4 of non-league, which is the level Salisbury play in, whereas before it was 12 clubs.

Along with the two automatic promotion places, the third-placed team with the best points-per-game ratio across six divisions. The other places will be awarded to the teams who win the play-offs, and finish between third and sixth, or seventh if one of the teams who finish the best third-placed.

The reasoning behind the change in format is because the FA have decided to introduce a new league in Step 3.

Steve Claridge commented and told the club website: “It’s good news. You’ve got to be happy when you get two chances to go straight up.

“In fact, there are four chances to be promoted, what with the best third place and the play-offs.

“We know it will be tough again, with the likes of Taunton and Evesham getting stronger, but we have to believe we can make it up this time around.”