Frustrations and unanswered questions result from meeting on SCFL’s future

Clubs from all of the affected leagues and Sussex County Football League representatives have been invited by The FA to a number of regional meetings, of which the first took place at the Thurrock Hotel, in Aveley, on Sunday.

The proposal is to reduce the number of leagues nationally at Step 5, where the SCFL Division 1 operates, from 14 leagues to 12, and the Sussex League is one earmarked to be merged.

Some of our local Division 1 clubs responded angrily to the plans last week, along with the SCFL, and were hoping for a number of answers on Sunday, but were left frustrated with a lack of answers.

Most questions that were asked to The FA were reportedly acknowledged but were then asked to be submitted in writing.

The Football Association’s line is the proposals are not a done deal and officials at the meeting were said to stress this on numerous occasions, but both representatives from the SCFL and local clubs believe this is not the case.

SCFL secretary Paul Beard said: “At the end of the day, we are none the wiser.

“A lot of questions from our clubs were met with the reply ‘that’s a very good point, but can you put it into writing’.

“I came away a bit frustrated, if I’m honest. We (SCFL) are calling a meeting in the next couple of weeks to discuss things with our clubs.”

The SCFL’s proposal to The FA, instead of the merger, was to increase the number of sides relegated from Step 4 to three, from two.

They feel that would then eradicate the possible problem of promotions and relegations not being even, but they believe this has already been discarded.

The FA are reportedly hoping to be able to announce the final plans in May, casting more doubt over possible alternatives, of which none have been mentioned, due to such a small time scale.

The FA’s leagues and clubs manager, Mike Appleby, said he felt all questions were answered fairly and to everyone’s satisfaction and that all clubs had more than a fair opportunity to get their views across. He also emphasised that the plans were not a done deal.