CLUBS LEARN FA ALLOCATIONS APPEAL FATE
MARLOW proved the big winners from the annual round of appeals against league placements – with one of the losers requesting relegation.
The FA had proposed to switch the Blues to Southern League Division One Central as part of their National League System allocations for 2023-24 but an appeals panel this week “unanimously” ruled the governing body had made an “irrational” call.
It hinged on travel distances with Marlow officials pointing out that Isthmian South Central rivals Northwood would have generated fewer extra miles in the Southern League if they had been selected for the switch.
The panel agreed, stating: “The appeal board could think of no reason why Marlow, with a travelling distance of almost 400 miles more than Northwood, would have been selected over Northwood.”
It ordered that Marlow be placed back in Isthmian South Central and “the matter of allocation to Southern League Central is remitted back to (the FA) to reconsider”.
An FA spokesperson confirmed the decision would “be reverted to the Alliance Committee for consideration, and it will be determined in due course”.
There was also success for Ardley United and London Lions, Step 5 clubs that were granted permission to swap leagues. Oxfordshire-based Ardley will line up in Combined Counties Premier Division North with the Lions entering the Spartan South Midlands League.
One of the most talked about cases saw Bishop’s Stortford lose an appeal over being placed in National League North.
The Isthmian League champions will miss out on local matches against the likes of Braintree Town and Chelmsford City in National League South with Brackley Town, Banbury United and Peterborough Sports the closest the Hertfordshire outfit will get to seeing a derby next term.
A club statement read: “The fact remains that other clubs are either more northerly situated or geographically better suited in terms of travel time for placement in the National North.
“The appeal board, however, has concluded that the original decision is a marginal call and that the committee had not been unreasonable.
“The (club’s) board decided to appeal the original decision as it was in the best interest of its shareholders, players, officials, volunteers and supporters. Whilst disappointed, we accept the final decision.
Challenges
“Placement into the National League North, of course, brings additional challenges but the whole club remains excited for our return to Step 2 and we look forward to facing new opposition and making new friends during the 2023-24 season.”
At Step 5, Cheshire outfits Winsford United and Northwich Victoria appealed moves from the oversubscribed North West Counties League Premier Division to its Midland Football League (MFL) equivalent without success.
Dismay
Winsford’s statement revealed an “emergency meeting” had established that the club did “not see a feasible way forward” and that it had, “with great sadness and regret”, requested relegation to Step 6 “in order to save our club”.
“As a club we have not reached this decision lightly,” it added.
“This is a decision that we feel is necessary in order to protect the existence of WUFC. We hope our fantastic supporters, volunteers, players and staff understand the reasons for this and stand by us.”
The Vics, the former Conference giants who now groundshare at Witton Albion, declared its board had been “extremely disappointed” by the outcome but, despite “a number of challenges”, would line up in the MFL.
Should Winsford be relegated or withdraw, the MFL’s top flight would only feature 17 clubs – league chairman Mick Joiner recently expressed his dismay at the Premier Division being reduced from 20 teams.
Stansted could yet follow Winsford’s example. Having been moved from the Essex Senior League to the Spartan South Midlands League, officials were due to meet this weekend to “discuss the future” of the club with a further statement expected soon.
