King's Lynn Town and Lowestoft Town will play each other next season following reorganisation of the National League System by the FA.

Both clubs have been placed in the new Southern League Central Division.

The move follows a meeting of the FA's Leagues Committee yesterday when the sport's governing body revealed the provisional club allocations for Steps One to Four of the National League System for season 2018/19.

All allocations are subject to FA appeal within the next seven days.

The composition of the Southern League Central Division has teed up what could be a mouthwatering clash between the Linnets and the Trawlerboys, who have just finished very different campaigns.

The Linnets finished second in the Southern League Premier, only to be pipped to promotion by Slough United in a play-off final at The Walks on Bank Holiday Monday.

They also lost manager Ian Culverhouse, who leaves the club voluntarily after leading them to the runners-up spot – the Linnets are currently in the process of finding his replacement, which is expected to be sorted within the next fortnight.

On the east coast, Lowestoft managed to dodge relegation after a difficult season in which they drifted close to the danger zone having revealed the club was struggling against financial difficulties. The Trawlerboys did confirm they would be competing at the same level next season, although current manager Dale Brooks is keen to see more players signed up for the campaign following a host of departures.

There is a touch of added spice to the fixture, with relations between the two clubs turning frosty last summer when they lost Ryan Jarvis and Frazer Blake-Tracey to Lynn – the latter departure particularly hard for Lowestoft to swallow.

The Linnets face 13 new teams, including relegated Tamworth and promoted AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Alvechurch and Bedworth United. Moving laterally alongside Lowestoft are Barwell, Coalville Town, Halesowen, Hednesford, Leiston, Needham Market, Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge.