FA RULING ‘LIKE A DOUBLE DROP’

FURIOUS Stamford say it feels like they have been relegated for a second time after watching their reprieve wiped away by the Football Association. The Daniels were planning for Evo-Stik NPL Premier football after being given a stay of execution last month. Stamford finished in the bottom four of the NPL Premier but because they have the best record of any club in the three Step 3 drop zones, they were given respite and spared relegation. And after weeks of preparing for higher level football, they have now been informed – via email, much to the club’s annoyance – that they will in fact be playing at Step 4 as initially planned following Evesham’s appeal success. Stamford chairman Bob Feetham said: “To have this thrust upon us by such total inefficiency is a disgrace. It really is devastating news, it’s so, so disappointing. “We’ve had it snatched away from us and that is absolutely dreadful. It feels to all of us here that we have been relegated all over again. “We were told three weeks ago we were going to be in Step 3 and we were working towards that. Now, because it has been overturned, we just have to get on with it.” Feetham also hit out at the way in which the news had reached the club, and the way the chairman had to relay to his manager, staff and supporters. “I find it hard to believe that we have been notified only by email, not even a phone call or with an apology from anyone,” he added. “It is shabby, and certainly not the way I would do business. I feel for our manager Graham Drury and his players. “Graham has worked immensely hard to bring together a squad which would have done us proud in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier. Hopefully many of those players will still stay with us.” Stamford cannot appeal the decision handed out by the FA.