News

In a shock announcement on the Clubcall line, Beazer League secretary Dennis Strudwick gave a clear indication that the Moatmen’s third place finish was not going to be good enough.

He said: “As far as the clubs coming up are concerned it’s my estimation of the position so far that it will not be possible for the committee to consider third placed clubs this season. So Tonbridge, Gresley, Evesham and Mangotsfield could miss out as far as it appears there will be an adequate number of clubs meeting the ground grading criteria who finished in first or second places.”

The news was a bitter blow to the club who have been working hard to bring the Moat Ground up to Beazer League standards after missing out on promotion last season because of inadequate facilities.

That work, which includes a brand new stand, will continue but can now only be of use if Gresley can relaunch a promotion challenge next season.

Club secretary Peter Jenkinson said today: “It’s very disappointing but we will press on with our ground improvements and hope for a better League position next year.

It appears that Rocester, however, are still in the promotion hunt. Strudwick did not rule out second-placed clubs and the Romans only lost out on the Banks’s League title to Hinckley Town on goal difference.

An official announcement is expected after a meeting of the Joint Liaison Committee in London on Monday.