Common denied promotion after appeal fails

Little Common Football Club has been denied promotion to Sussex County League Division One.
Little Common's celebrations after clinching promotion in May have been cut shortLittle Common's celebrations after clinching promotion in May have been cut short
Little Common's celebrations after clinching promotion in May have been cut short

The Commoners thought they would be playing in Division One for the first time in their history after clinching the third promotion place from Division Two at the end of last season.

Back in May, Common were informed that they would not be promoted due to failing to achieve a ‘G’ ground grading by the March 31 deadline. The club felt that it had done all the necessary work to meet the grading and therefore lodged an appeal with the FA.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The appeal was heard yesterday (Wednesday) at the Gatwick Hilton and dismissed, hence the club will be playing in Division Two again next season alongside cross-town rivals Bexhill United.

Common vice-chairman Daniel Eldridge said: “Obviously this is a huge disappointment to the club having worked so hard during the past few years to improve our facilities.

“Whilst we feel that some of the points on the ground grading report are a little petty (ie. pitchside barrier and varying levels, a couple of cracks in the path), the most contentious issue is the temporary enclosure on match days, on which we will have to seek further advice (despite it being similar to Rye United’s).

“However, we have faced setbacks before and we have always come back bigger and stronger, and we have every intention of still realising our dream of one day playing in Division One of the SCFL.”