[Citygull]

How in God's green earth did they wind up in the Southern League? Their travel costs must have been terrible.

Exactly the dilemma many 'Midlands' clubs have. Affects us too and we are often no more than balancing items to even up the numbers. City were in the Southern League for 70 years and the administrative HQ of the Southern League is in Gloucester. But now we are in the north  playing the likes of Blyth. (Scaled up to USA terms that's like Denver playing in the same 'regional' league as a team in Maine)!
At present there is a slim but real chance we will be in southern division next season but we won't know for sure for a while yet which has obvious implications for recruitment and planning. 4 or so seasons ago we got switched from National League South to North very late on. By then we had already recruited on the basis of expecting to stay in the South and it was too late to revise our squad, most of whom were southern based.
As a fan I prefer the atmosphere, food and beer at most Northern grounds but the travel is gruelling.
Such is life for a non league club with ambitions....

[HeathBrewer]

That seems insane to me. Constantly reshuffling leagues based on balance as opposed to just by relegation or promotion. I guess I look at distance different because this country is far more expansive than England. Seems to me there would be a line, like the 40th parallel; all clubs above the line in the Northern League and those below in the Southern League.

[Neil]

We're out on a limb whether we're in the north or south, I prefer the north cos they aren't cockneys.

[Mr.Magoo]

We're out on a limb whether we're in the north or south, I prefer the north cos they aren't cockneys.

As someone who enjoys a pie. The north all day.

[Neil]

Whats the payment details again?

[HeathBrewer]

Aren't there several Northern League grounds in close proximity to MP?

[Daveangel]

Two an hour away, the rest 2, 3, 4 and 5ish!

[drbob]

Aren't there several Northern League grounds in close proximity to MP?

In England travel times by road are much slower than in the USA or Canada. It always amazes our American and Canadian relatives how long it takes to get from A to B over here.