Gold furious and will appeal relegation back into Division 2

Golds were informed in an email on Monday evening that their promotion into the top flight had been sacrificed after Chichester City won an appeal to The FA to stay up last week.

Golds boss Mark Bennett stressed last week that they had received no suggestion their promotion was at risk, after being “categorically” told “in writing” they would be in Division 1 after the league’s AGM.

But the Sussex County Football League have said the matter is out of their hands after The FA ordered Chichester to be reinstated and also for the fourth-placed team in Division 2 to remain in that division as a result.

Golds had been informed that they were promoted and would be playing in Division 1 at the league AGM, despite finishing fourth and outside of the promotion places last season, following a league restructuring which increased the top flight to 22 teams.

But with Golds set to take Chichester’s place, when their relegation was overturned last week, Littlehampton were sacrificed and sent back down.

The same thing happened to Loxwood, who finished fifth, earlier this month, after Dorking also won an appeal to The FA.

It is the latest chapter to a laughable close season and has caused a complete rejig of opening-day fixtures, which had already been released.

Littlehampton chairman Rob McAlees fumed: “To be demoted 12 days before the season starts is disgusting and for it to be done in an email at 10.10pm last night (Monday) is worse. What happened to a bit of common courtesy?

“We will appeal now as I am not going to turn over and let my belly be tickled. We have got sponsors in place on the proviso we will be playing in Division 1 and signed players by saying we will be playing in Division 1 and they will, obviously, be upset.”

SCFL vice-chairman Steve Nealgrove admitted they felt a great deal of sympathy for Littlehampton, but stated the matter was out of their hands after The FA ruling.

He said: “Following the Chichester City appeal to The FA, the appeal panel has decreed that Chichester should not have been relegated and then decreed that the fourth-placed side promoted, should be retained back in Division 2.

“We’re disappointed in The FA appeal board’s decision when the promotion and relegation decisions were taken in good faith and within the rules. We have every sympathy with Littlehampton, we share their frustration and, actually, we feel the same.

“We have always been told by The FA that a third party cannot appeal against a decision made by The FA, but we have said to Littlehampton to contact the FA appeal boards for advice.”

For the full story pick up this week’s (July 26) Littlehampton Gazette.