Future of SCFL under threat again

That is according to the SCFL acting chairman Steve Nealgrove after the league were informed that both Rye and Crowborough would be removed from Division 1 and placed in the Kent League.

Both clubs are against the move and County League officials are furious that no consultation process has taken place. An emergency general meeting has been called at Horsham YMCA on Saturday where league bosses will outline their concerns to clubs.

With both Peacehaven and Redhill promoted to Ryman League Division 1 South, and no team relegated from above, it will leave Division 1 with 20 teams, before Rye or Crowborough’s proposed moves or any relegations, which is the minimum amount required to maintain Step 5 status.

With Sidley’s future uncertain because of financial problems and a number of clubs still not meeting the ground gradings, it again leaves the County League under real threat of collapse.

Last season, the FA were all set to disband the SCFL to neighbouring leagues, before County League chiefs launched a huge fight to overturn the decision.

Nealgrove said: “This puts the league under major threat once again. We are holding an emergency general meeting on Saturday at 2pm at Horsham YMCA where we will explain to all our clubs what is going on and our concerns.

“That once again we’ll be fighting off the threat of our league being dismembered via the back door. The SCFL and the two clubs involved have not been consulted, so the FA have failed to follow their own due processes.”

The league were informed of the FA’s decision via email late last Wednesday (May 22). The SCFL has met with officials from both Crowborough and Rye and all three are planning to take up their right to appeal.