EBBSFLEET United have revealed they have been unsuccessful in convincing the FA Alliance Committee to reinstate them to the National League following relegation on points-per-game in the 2019-20 season.
The National League South club were unable to win their place back on the pitch this year after clubs voted to curtail the 2020-21 campaign at Step 2 in February.
With the top-flight currently running with 23 teams – one short of the usual 24 – Fleet attempted to be reinstated.
The Kent side were relegated by 0.001 of a point when the 2019-20 campaign was decided on points-per-game, alongside Chorley and AFC Fylde.
The club explained: “We made representations to the League and FA Alliance Committee to have rule 5.5.2 of the FA laws applied. Given the unique circumstances that led to our relegation last season, and us being one of only two clubs in the UK pyramid to be dropped into a relegation position by points per game, we felt application of the rule under the laws was not only fair, but entirely reasonable.
“Rule 5.5.2 states that where a vacancy exists in Step 1, the highest-ranked relegated team of the previous season is to fill that vacancy. On that basis, given there remains only 23 clubs in Step 1 and an obvious vacancy, we felt it reasonable and were confident that the FA Alliance Committee would enable that rule and bring Step 1 to its full complement of 24 teams for next season.
“Unfortunately a number of emergency rule changes were made during the last season due to the pandemic; one of those was a change which altered rule 5.5.2. The wording was changed so that any vacancy that existed would be filled at the absolute discretion of the FA Alliance Committee and FA Council.
“Alas we were recently informed that despite their understanding and the strong case that we presented, the FA Alliance Committee would be recommending to the FA Council that the number of clubs for Steps 1 and 2 remain as they are for next season.”
