POOLE GET GREEN LIGHT – FOR NOW!
POOLE TOWN have completed the ground work to avoid demotion from the National League South – but their play-off fate is still up in the air.
The Dorset club have spent more than £150,000 getting their home up to scratch to meet the Grade B grading required to stay at Step 2 following promotion from the Southern Premier last season.
It’s been an upward curve for the Dolphins, who were playing Wessex League football in 2011, under long-serving manager Tommy Killick.
Their success has continued this season too, with the club inside the top five and pushing for a finish in the play-off places.
While still to be rubberstamped by the FA, the club say they have completed the work by the March 31 deadline – that included laying down Hard Standing, adding turnstiles and repositioning floodlights and means they have a 3,000 capacity – that ensures they will stay at Step 2.
But they may not be allowed to compete in the play-offs, should they qualify. As part of the requirements, the FA’s National Ground Grading – Category B document says: “The minimum covered accommodation must be 500, of which at least 250 shall be seats located in one stand.
“These seats may be inclusive of Directors/ Committee and press seating,” but adds: “Clubs may retain membership of the National League North/South provided that they achieve a Category “B” grading and have 250 seats under cover in one stand.”
Poole have around 260 seats under cover but the rules go on to state: “To qualify for promotion to the National League by winning the respective North/South Championship and for the club to participate in the promotion play-off matches, the ground must achieve a Category “B” Grading together with 500 seats under cover by March 31 in each season. These seats may be in two stands, with no stand having less than 100 seats.”
Chairman Clive Robbins said: “Should we get in the play-offs and be allowed to play, we would jump at the chance because we would feel we’ve earned it.
“The spirit of the competition is that, on the pitch, we would have earned the right.
“If the rules of the competition do not allow us, and the National League concur with the decision, then Poole Town will abide by the decision. It will be what it will be. We’ve got to do the best for Poole Town and if there is an opportunity to do that I’ll take it. If all avenues are closed then I’m just delighted we’re in the National League South next year.”
A National League spokesman said: “Until all the visits that have been undertaken by the FA inspectors go back to the FA Ground Grading Technical Panel for checking and confirmation, it would be inappropriate to comment.”