EVESHAM UNITED will appeal the decision to move them from the Southern League South & West to the NPL South – with chairman Jim Cockerton labelling it “a joke”.
Following Cinderford Town's decision to remain in the Southern South & West despite winning promotion to Step 3, the FA were forced to shuffle things around and that has left Evesham incensed.
Stamford were given a reprieve due to their best points per game ratio among the relegated clubs across the Step 3 divisions and Corby Town were moved across from the NPL Premier to the Southern League Premier to make room for them.
And taking Stamford's spot in the NPL South is Evesham, shifted across from the Southern League South & West meaning they will miss out on local games against Bishops Cleeve, Cinderford, Shortwood United and, crucially, promoted Hereford FC.
Clubs were given 14 days to appeal the decision and, unsurprisingly, the Robins will be challenging their move.
A statement from the Worcestershire club, confirmed: “Evesham United are extremely disappointed with the decision by the Football Association to move the club to the Northern Premier League Division One South, following the refusal of Cinderford Town to be promoted to the Southern League Premier.
“We are currently considering our options and will definitely appeal the decision within the 14 day period allowed.”
Cockerton, meanwhile, told the Gloucestershire Echo: “We are not a northern club and I think we need to embarrass the FA for this decision because it's a joke. Everyone at the club was shocked, but we are coming to terms with the news now.
“Last season we had ten games within a 50 mile radius, but now our closest game is at Romulus (Sutton Coldfield) at 38 miles and there is Rugby at 44 miles, but all the others are at least 80 or 90 miles.
“It's about the principle. Cinderford should be made to take promotion, or be kicked out of the Southern League in my opinion.”
A Cinderford statement added: “After everything that's been going on, we hope the FA see sense, and promote Taunton Town and keep Evesham United in the South & West league.”
This decision absolutely stinks our club has been working diligently within its capabilities to a plan. Our hard work stands to be blown out of the water as income will reduce and expenditure will go up due to increased travel expenses and the nessessity for more coaches. Also we had set our stall out as a southern league club and lined up players accordingly. We now have to fight off the other clubs who are sniffing around our players with the promise of less travelling if they play for them instead of us.
Rediculous decision. Why not promote the team that finished third.How do these people get jobs on FA.They make a mess of every issue below premiership or championship
Yet again the FA ‘suits’ demonstrate their total disconnect with reality and what clubs are actually trying to achieve in harsh financial climates.
The old formula of reprieving relegated clubs, merely rewards failure and does nothing to encourage development, ambition and progress.
The progressive (and also the simplest) thing to have done was to promote third place (and play-off finalists) Taunton Town in place of Cinderford. QED
The FA committee’s decision affecting Evesham following Cinderford’s decision not to be promoted shows the FA in a very bad light indeed. For a relatively small club such increased travelling costs as far as South Yorkshire and mid Cheshire do not bear thinking about. The revenue from any visiting supporters will be minimal. The FA must recognise the serious difficulties for smaller part time professional clubs attracting relatively small crowds and especially for those players who cannot afford time off mid week to travel 100 miles for away fixtures – some of them being meaningless league cup games.
It is about time that the FA seriously considers having a league level 4 covering the Midlands for such clubs as Evesham.