Knowing how pig headed The Fa can be I wouldn't think they'd back down. personally I don't care, I'm sure that many of their supporters wouldn't care too if it was us in their position.
-- Edited by HastingLion on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 11:26:01 PM
The Kent League Premier Division looks set to have a constitution of 19 clubs for the 2013/14 season.
The decisions were made by the Football Association’s step 5/6 review group, acting with the authority of the FA’s Leagues Committee, but are subject to any appeal and confirmation at the league’s AGM.
Erith & Belvedere and VCD Athletic have both been promoted to Ryman League Division 1 North.
A joint-proposal by the Kent League, Kent Invicta League and Kent County League to promote two clubs from the Kent Invicta League this season as a one-off move to compensate for the additional clubs being moved to step 4 has also been approved by the FA, but needs to be finalised between the leagues. Further announcements to be made shortly.
In addition, the FA have also agreed that Crowborough Athletic and Rye United be transferred from the Sussex County League to the Kent League. Both clubs have the right of appeal as per National League System regulations.
County leagues should've been revamped years ago. Why should Rye end up in the Kent League when local opposition awaits in the shape, for example, of teams like Sidley, Westfield, Bexhill etc etc. East Sussex teams could take on Kent outfits like Ashford while West Sussex sides would find local opposition over the county border in East Hampshire. There's plenty of step 5 football out there - just revamp those leagues and cut down the travelling.
United, despite relegation, have actually ended up in a very localised and interesting Ryman South division with a lot of decent local fixtures - very local when you think back to the days of the old (anything but) Southern Premier and Tuesday evening treks to Derbyshire to play Gresley Rovers and Burton Albion!
I agree - despite the travelling, the old Southern Premier had a lot going for it. The forming of two Conference feeder divisions diluted standards and that league along with the Ryman and Northern premier divisions aren't a patch on what they were.
