Becoming Semi Pro

I have downloaded the English leagues down to level 11 and started with Swaffham in the lowest league. They are currently an amateur team so i can only offer amateur contracts. I was wondering how many divisions I'd have to move up before the club become semi pro, so i can tie some people to at least part time contracts that stops other teams stealing my players so easy! Im currently on course to make it out of tier 11 and have done very well in all the cups and have a very healthy bank balance for such a small club. Thanks

most clubs go semi pro at around level 7 or 8 i think but not sure about this

Most probably BSN/BSS. Then you have to go pro at league 2. Although there isnt nothing stopping you from offering your players full time contracts.

I was going to be Whickham at Level 10, but chose level 9 team Billingham Town as I wanted to be Semi-Pro. So maybe it kicks in at Level 9

I think it depends on a number of things, most importantly, is the club in a financial position to be able to offer semi pro contracts? Which is probably more important than the level a club is at.

Most probably BSN/BSS. Then you have to go pro at league 2. Although there isnt nothing stopping you from offering your players full time contracts.

The problem is when you are an Amateur club you can't offer anything other than Am or Youth contracts. You have to wait until you are Semi-Pro to offer FT contracts.

I used bladesman's update down to level 10 and went Northallerton. I was made semi-pro on promotion to level 9 after my first season.