Farewell Football Conference as National League is set to launch

Hemel Hempstead Town will compete in either the Vanarama National League or the Vanarama National League South next season. Picture (c) Sean Hinks

The Football Conference has announced that the league will be changing its name to the National League from next season.

The new Vanarama National League will officially launch on June 6, with the Conference South becoming the Vanarama National League South.

The Vanarama National League will also launch a new broadcasting company, NLTV, which will be the first fully dedicated broadcasting channel focusing solely on the 68 member clubs.

Brian Barwick, the incoming chairman of the new Vanarama National League, said: “I am delighted to be joining at this vibrant time with this exciting new branding.

“It offers so much to our existing partners, whilst at the same time opening up potential new opportunities.”

He added: “I look forward to steering this great competition to new levels of awareness and visibility.”

BT Sport have agreed a new three year deal with the competition which will extend the live coverage of matches and feature a regular weekly highlights show to be broadcast on a Sunday evening.