‘Stabbed in back’
CLUBS including Harborough Town and Desborough Town have joined forces to give a resounding thumbs-down for the FA’s controversial review of the ‘Step Five’ set-up.
A meeting of United Counties League clubs was held to take a closer look at suggestions for a major restructure to take effect for the 2013-14 season.
And 19 of the 20 premier division clubs in attendance voted to express a preference to see the league remain as it stands – amid claims the change would send costs soaring to unsustainable levels.
Ten of the UCL’s 21 premier division clubs, including Wellingborough, Stewarts & Lloyds Corby, Thrapston and Irchester, are earmarked for a place in an eastern division – alongside teams in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Desborough, who would be among five teams moved to a Midlands league if the plans go ahead, have accused the FA of stabbing small, community-based clubs in the back.
As members of UCL division one, Harborough are not directly affected by the proposals yet but they could be soon if, as seems increasingly likely, they clinch promotion this year.
In a letter to Brian Walden, chairman of the FA restructuring committee, Desborough Town secretary John Lee said: “The financial impact of the proposals on local clubs like ourselves is beyond belief.
“There is no way we can meet the expenses required to run a team in the proposed new league. We will lose our local derby matches, which provide the majority of our revenue. Our oppponents will be situated up to 108 miles away.
“We do not have any financial backers, but are a community club run by amateur volunteers who feel they have been stabbed in the back.”
Harborough first team manager Andrew Wilson said: “We have total sympathy with the premier division clubs.
“A lot have been in the UCL for many years and are emotionally tied to it. Old rivalry would be wiped out which would be a sad loss and a shame for the history of the local game.
“We are not in the premier division at the minute but it is something we have aspired to for years.”
Jeremy Biggs, press officer for the UCL, said: “The clubs have given us a clear mandate to oppose the suggestions made by the review group.
“We feel that many clubs in other areas will also be shocked when they evaluate the extra expense of travel to play our clubs that it is suggested are relocated.
“We recognise the need to equate promotion and relegation places between Steps Four and Five but feel there are better ways of achieving this objective than the one on the table.
“The disruption that would arise for our clubs, and those in other areas, does not in our opinion justify the break-up and overhaul of leagues that would arise should the suggestions on the table be adopted. There has to be a better way.”
It’s feared the extra costs could also lead to clubs scrapping reserve or youth teams to divert funding.
Harborough’s postponed top-of-the-table home clash with Huntingdon has been switched to this Saturday (ko 3pm).
Desborough travel to Newport Pagnell while their reserves entertain Blackstone.
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Weather for Harborough
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North
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