Stamford chairman Bob Feetham: It feels like we’ve been relegated again

STAMFORD chairman Bob Feetham says the Football Association’s decision to withdraw their reprieve feels like being “relegated all over again”.

The Daniels finished fourth bottom of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier last season and were handed a reprieve after Cinderford Town announced that they wouldn’t be taking promotion as they had the best points per game across the relegated sides at Step 3.

Boss Graham Drury had started planning for next term but their preparations have been stopped in their tracks following Evesham’s appeal on Tuesday.

The Robins won that appeal and were placed back in the Southern League South & West after initially being moved into the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South.

Cinderford have been forced to take promotion to the Southern Premier meaning Stamford’s Step 3 reprieve was withdrawn while Corby were moved back from the Southern Premier to the NPL Premier to take their spot.

Feetham told Stamford’s website: “This is absolutely devastating. To be told three weeks ago that we were reinstated into the NPL and then to have it all snatched away so long after is absolutely dreadful. For all of us involved with the club be it player, director or supporter it feels like we have been relegated all over again.

“I find it hard to believe that we have been notified only by email and there hasn’t even been a phonecall or an apology from anyone. It is shabby and certainly not the way I would do business.

“I feel so sorry for Graham Drury, he has worked immensely hard to bring together a squad which would have done us proud in the NPL.

“Many of those players, hopefully, will still stay with us. But to have this thrust upon him so late by such total inefficiency is a disgrace. I also note that we have no right of appeal. Some democracy!”