WHEN you look at the Nationwide Conference, Yeovil Town have had a tremendous season and are certain to win promotion.

It will be the second time in recent years that a promoted club have included a couple of our former players, with Michael McIndoe and Gavin Williams, in this instance, playing significant parts in Yeovil's success.

How Yeovil fare in the Third Division next season will be a reflection on the Conference and it is important that the inaugural play-off winners also perform well.

The Conference is getting stronger. More clubs are turning full-time and, with Telford reverting back to full-time status next season, the number of full-time clubs in the Conference will reach double figures.

Despite all the problems surrounding last year's Conference champions, Boston United, I hope they remain in the Football League. I don't think that Boston should have been promoted, but now they are in the Football League, I want them to stay.

The bottom of the Third Division is interesting with a number of clubs fighting to avoid relegation. At Shrewsbury I had 11 good years, and, from that point of view, I hope they survive. However, from the Hereford point of view, we would relish a local derby with them. If Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers were to come down, we would be happy to take those fixtures next season.

I am talking as if Hereford will remain a Conference club next season, but we have not given up hope of reaching the play-offs.

Clubs at the bottom of the Third Division think they are on the edge of the abyss and that relegation to the Conference means oblivion. That is not the case when Football League clubs have come down to the Conference. They have not got the benefit of significant grants and, therefore, need to operate with far greater financial responsibility.

I was somewhat surprised at a recent Conference chairmen's meeting that a motion to increase the League from 22 to 24 clubs was proposed.

I did not agree with the proposal as I felt that it was unethical with six weeks of the season remaining. However, I have to admit that self-interest may have played a part in my decision had we been one of the threatened clubs. The final decision now rests with the Football Association who look unlikely to accept it.

*Graham Turner was talking to Ian Morgan.