ROCHDALE TOWN have been relegated to Step 7 of the Non-League Pyramid after losing an appeal against their failed ground grading.
Town have competed in the North West Counties League for the past 26 years but were told last month that their Step 6 grading had been revoked.
The club, formed in 1924, appealed to the Football Association and manager and chairman Mark Canning put their case across in London on Tuesday.
Unfortunately the grading decision was upheld and Rochdale have now been relegated form the NWCL Division One to Step 7 and the Manchester Football League.
The issue surrounds the club's toilets not being in the dressing rooms with Town claiming it wasn't picked up on any ground grading visit.
They fumed on Twitter: “Totally out of our control. Moved the goalposts on appeal and now said that due to our toilets not being in dressing room, we are relegated!
“This issue wasn't picked up on any of the ground gradings, our alternative toilet was accepted.
“However, the players are back in training tomorrow and will be preparing for the season ahead. We will be back! Thank you to everybody for their continued support, we massively appreciate it!”
At the time of the initial ground grading news, the North West Counties League said: “Following a decision communicated to the League Management Committee by the FA Ground Grading Technical Panel on May 3, we understand that Rochdale Town will be relegated to a Step 7 League for season 2016-17.
“The FA communication stated the panel had considered the most recent reports in relation to the review of Step 6 clubs' gradings, and decided that it was necessary to withdraw the grade previously awarded to Rochdale Town, who will now be regarded as ungraded.”
The league yesterday added in a statement: “The FA Appeal Board dismissed Rochdale Town's appeal against the ground grading decision of the FA Technical panel.”
