BLUES’ GAIN IS COLNEY PAIN!
HERTFORD TOWN have been promoted to the Ryman North after Spartan South Midlands champions London Colney refused to go up.
Colney wanted to join EvoStik Southern One Central because travelling costs would be less, but were refused permission by the FA to do so, instead thrown into the Ryman North.
As a result, the Cotlandswick club may now fold. This weekend, talks were being held with “interested parties” about enabling Colney to carry on playing at their present level, said club secretary Dave Brock.
“There is a possibility we could fold but it has not come down to that yet,” he said.
“We are in negotiations with interested parties who are looking at the club, with a view to taking it over.” The failure of Colney’s appeal to the Football Association to move westwards into the Southern League led to the resignations of title-winning manager Joe Sweeney and four of the club’s committee.
Buzzing
Ace marksman Jon Clements, who hit 41 goals in 54 games for Colney last season, has already left to join rivals Welwyn Garden City.
Gavin Kelsey, who led Hertford to the runners-up spot, said his side will have no problem competing at Step 4, and the playing budget was being revised accordingly. He was buoyed by a 55 per cent increase in crowds, with average gates of around 250.
“The club is set up for the step up,” he said. “We are all really looking forward to it. Everyone is buzzing.”
By contrast with London Colney, the club is eagerly looking forward to the prospect of derbies including ones against local rivals Ware, Cheshunt, Waltham Abbey and Potters Bar.
And Kelsey has been further boosted by the decision of last season’s captain and Supporters’ Player of the Year Ollie Sharman to sign on for next season.
Established in 1901 as Port Vale Rovers before they became recognised as the main club in the county town, it will be Hertford’s second stint in the Isthmian League.
They finished third in the Eastern Counties League in 1973, and switched to the newly- formed Isthmian Division Two, which became Division One in 1977.
Relegated to Division Two North in 1985 and to Division Three in 1991 following league restructuring, they were promoted back to Division Two in 1999 only to be relegated the following season.
More restructuring saw the Blues placed in Division One North in 2002, but they finished bottom and were again relegated to Division Two.
When the division was disbanded four years later, Hertford joined the Spartan South Midlands Premier.
Hertford chairman Peter Sinclair said: “Everyone at the club is delighted to be back in the Ryman League after a gap of 15 years and it’s fully deserved.”