The 2009–10 Football Conference season was the sixth season with the Football Conference consisting of three divisions, and the thirty-first season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football in England. The Conference Premier was the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the Conference North and Conference South existed at the sixth level. The top team (Stevenage Borough) and the winner of the play-off (Oxford United) of the National division were promoted to Football League Two. The bottom four were scheduled to be relegated to the North or South divisions, but in the event two teams (Salisbury City and Chester City) were expelled and only the bottom two clubs (Ebbsfleet United and Grays Athletic) were relegated with them. The champions of the North and South divisions (Southport and Newport County respectively) were promoted to the National division, alongside the play-off winners from each division (Fleetwood Town and Bath City). The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions were relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League or Southern League. For sponsorship reasons, the Conference Premier was frequently referred to as the Blue Square Premier.

Conference Premier

A total of 24 teams contested the division, including 18 sides from last season, two relegated from the Football League Two, two promoted from the Conference North and two promoted from the Conference South.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Conference North Teams promoted from 2008–09 Conference South Teams relegated from 2008–09 League Two Luton Town became the first team to drop from the Football League Championship to the Conference in successive seasons and in the process ended an 89-year stay in the Football League. Their matches against eventual playoff winners Oxford United made them the first clubs to face each other in all the top five tiers of English football. On 26 February 2010, Chester City were expelled from the Conference for numerous rule breaches. Since no appeal was forthcoming, their results were expunged on 8 March 2010.

League table

Play-offs

Semifinals

York City won 2–0 on Aggregate. Oxford United won 3–1 on Aggregate.

Play-Off Final

Stadia and locations

Results

Season statistics

Top scorers

Scoring

Discipline

Sequences

Clean sheets

Monthly awards

Conference North

A total of 22 teams contested the division, including 17 sides from last season, one relegated from the Conference Premier and four promoted from the lower leagues. In April 2009, the Conference decided to demote King's Lynn at the end of the 2008–09 season, because their ground did not meet Conference standards. Farsley Celtic resigned from the league on 8 March 2010 and their playing record was expunged on 12 March. Both Harrogate Town and Vauxhall Motors were reprieved from relegation following Farsley Celtic's withdrawal from the league, Chester's expulsion from the Conference Premier and Northwich Victoria's demotion to the Northern Premier League under financial rules.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Northern Premier League Premier Division Teams promoted from 2008–09 Southern League Premier Division Teams relegated from 2008–09 Conference Premier

League table

Play-offs

Semifinals

Fleetwood Town won 4–3 on penalties after tying 3–3 on Aggregate. Alfreton Town won 4–1 on Aggregate.

Play-Off Final

Stadia and locations

Results

Monthly awards

Conference South

A total of 22 teams contested the division, including 17 sides from last season, three relegated from the Conference Premier and two promoted from the Isthmian League. Team Bath announced that they were to leave the Football Conference from the end of the 2008–09 season. The club decided to fold, after being informed they could not be promoted to the professional leagues, which also led to them no longer being able to play FA Cup games. Thus Thurrock were reprieved from relegation.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2008–09 Isthmian League Premier Division Teams relegated from 2008–09 Conference Premier

League table

Play-offs

Semifinals

Woking won 2–1 on Aggregate. Bath City won 3–0 on Aggregate.

Play-Off Final

Stadia and locations

Results

Monthly awards