BLUES ARGUE NORTH MOVE
BISHOP’S STORTFORD say they owe it to their shareholders, players, officials, volunteers and supporters to appeal the FA’s decision to place them in National League North next season.
The Isthmian Premier division champions have been slotted into the northern region of Step 2 in order to balance the numbers – a decision which means they would have to travel more than 7,500 miles for their away round trips.
It’s not the first time the Essex-based club have been sacrificed into unfamiliar territory, they last competed in the Conference North for two season from 2011 before switching back down to the South.
But the club have now decided to appeal against this week’s ruling, while a GoFundMe page has been set up to club the club with the financial burden of funding the appeal.
A statement read: “Whilst the board fully respect the Football Association’s rules and regulations, it feels that it has a responsibility to the club’s shareholders, players, officials, volunteers and supporters to fully explore the allocation process and have sought professional advice as part of this review.
“The Football Association were notified of our intention to appeal this afternoon and the Board will now prepare for our case to be heard at a yet to be determined date.
“The club recognise that the allocation process is a challenging one and will respect the result of the upcoming appeal.”
Meanwhile, just two miles up the road, Stansted FC have the support of the Essex Senior League in their appeal against a shock switch to the Spartan South Midlands League.
The Blues were founder members of the ESL in 1971 but in a shock twist, which they club say came “completely out of the blue” and “without consultation”, Stansted have been shifted over for 2023-24 – a decision which the club believe is “not geographically or financially viable”.
Indeed, the Spartan South Midlands League appears to be at the centre of much of the appeal process this year.
However, in contrast, Ardley United have formally objected to their on-going placement in the SSML Premier Division, instead wishing to move sideways into Combined Counties Premier North.
Dilemma
And newly-promoted FC Peterborough have appealed against their placement in the Eastern Counties League Division One, instead wishing to be placed in SSML Division One for their first season in the National League System.
A geographical dilemma also exists in the north west where Congleton Town,
Winsford United and Northwich Victoria were all moved from the North West Counties League to the Midland League.
Also describing the move as “financially unviable”, Winsford said: “We are deeply shocked and extremely disappointed at the allocation of the football club to the Midland League following decades in the NWCFL.
“The lack of due care and attention in consulting with clubs in these matters are of grave concern. We believe the demands to enable us to compete in the Midland League make it financially unviable for the football club to continue as a solvent entity.”
Similarly, Northwich Victoria added: “We are a North West club and our 149-year history has now been put into jeopardy as the financial implications and player availability of the current squad will mean we may not be able to continue as a football club.
“We are also bitterly disappointed that there has been no correspondence or dialogue with the FA on the impact that this would have on community clubs across the country.”
Ollerton Town are also in dispute after a request for a lateral move from the Northern Counties East Division One to the United Counties League was rejected.