Expansion
Since formation, the league initially expanded slowly to include newly formed teams across the country. Brighton Bandits (renamed in summer 2012 as GFC Brighton & Hove) joined for the 2003/2004 season, and Village Manchester FC were accepted into the league in 2005/2006 - replacing the then-champions Bristol Panthers, who dropped out citing lack of players.
More recently, the popularity of gay football across the country has increased. Many new teams have formed, and three were accepted into the league for the 2006/2007 season: Birmingham Blaze FC, London Titans FC, and GFC Bournemouth, doubling the size of the original league. The fixture format was changed to a Six Nations style format - either home or away - with home advantage alternating annually.
Two further clubs were accepted into the league for 2007/08 season: London Falcons FC and Nottingham Ball Bois FC.
In 2008/09, Village Manchester withdrew from the league and were replaced by HotScots FC of Edinburgh, and GFC Bournemouth re-branded as GFC Bournemouth & Hampshire to reflect their growing number of players from Poole, Southampton and Portsmouth. The GFSN branch of London Falcons FC also separated from their parent club and re-branded as Falcons GFC, now existing as an independent club. Nottingham Ball Bois, in only their second season, went on to win the League with a game in hand.
The league remained as a single division for the 2009/10 season, with twelve teams taking part (following the successful league applications of Cardiff Dragons FC and Newcastle Panthers FC).
The players in the league are amateurs and do not receive any fees or subsidies for taking part. Teams only receive funds from local sponsors, fundraisers, or shirt sponsorship. The increasing number of teams (meaning more travel and associated costs) created both a financial and time-consuming burden on players to attend all matches and events throughout a season.
Therefore, the league split into two divisions of six in 2010/11 to minimise travelling and costs. GFC Bournemouth & Hampshire FC withdrew, but were replaced by Trowbridge Tigers FC who joined as the League's first majority straight team.
In 2011/12 three new teams were welcomed into the league - Bristol Panthers FC (who had re-formed in 2009), Devon Lions FC, and Glasgow's Saltire Thistle FC. The additions led to a further reconstruction, with three leagues of five created and the return of home and away games. London Titans FC became the first club to successfully defend the title.
Read more about this topic: GFSN National League
Famous quotes containing the word expansion:
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—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
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—Gail Sheehy (20th century)