FLACKWELL HEATH have decided against taking their place in the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West and will return to the Hellenic League.
The Heathens won their Step 5 league last season and were looking forward to the step up to the Southern Division One Central.
However, following Clevedon Town‘s demotion for failing their ground grading, Flackwell Heath were moved into the South & West division alongside Burnham and Marlow.
The switch meant an increase in travel from 1400 miles to over 3000 and after looking at the numbers, the Buckinghamshire club have refused promotion.
A club statement read: “After very careful consideration and with considerable regret the committee and management at Flackwell Heath Football Club have decided that for several reasons, but mainly financial, to not take promotion from Step 5 to Step 4.
“Having initially been place in the Central Division of the Southern Football League we were greatly looking forward to life in Step 4 football with several local derbies and the vast majority of travel within a 30 mile radius in the 2015-16 season.
“However, ever since we received the news two weeks ago that we had been moved, along with Marlow FC and Burnham FC, into the South and West Division spirits at the club have taken a nose dive.
“The increase in travel from a little over 1400 miles in the Central Division to well over 3000 miles in the South and West has meant that we have had to look at all our options, and regrettably, in the end, the only one open to us at this time is to refuse promotion.
“We now start the task of picking ourselves back up and rebuilding for the next season.”
Peter Allen
16 June 2015 at 11:58 pm
Very sad to hear club is not taking promotion great club and have always enjoyed going there with Wokingham. Worked hard to win promotion then get moved to the wrong division. Look forward to seeing you next season in the Hellenic League.
Good Luck