Golds set for life in Division 2 according to updated league tables

After Chichester City won their appeal to The FA yesterday over their relegation from the top flight, it seems Golds have been sacrificed, despite receiving assurances they would be playing in Division 1 next season.

Golds boss Mark Bennett stressed yesterday that they had had no suggestion their promotion was at risk, after being “categorically” told “in writing” they would be in Division 1 - and they were also told a league EGM was taking place on Monday to make a decision.

Despite this, the league seems to have already made its decision as the picture above shows, with Littlehampton being placed back into Division 2.

Opening-day Division 1 fixtures for Saturday, August 4, had already been released with Littlehampton at Lancing, and the following Tuesday saw them at Selsey.

Littlehampton and Loxwood, who finished fourth and fifth last season, were both told they would be promoted due to league restructuring, but after Dorking, who finished third, won an appeal to The FA to go up, having first been told they were refused promotion on ground grading issues, Loxwood were informed they were no longer stepping up into the top flight at Dorking’s expense.

Bennett said: “I’ve heard that Chichester have won their appeal and the league have called our secretary and said they are holding an EGM on Monday.

“From the word go, if they had said if Dorking or Chi win their appeals then we wouldn’t go, up then fine, but we were told, categorically, we would be in Division 1 and we have that in writing.”

It now appears, according to the tables and despite being told no decision has been made, Littlehampton will suffer the same fate as Loxwood. Bennett added: “If it does happen, we’ll appeal, we have been up and down. We’ve done work and made plans as the league said we’d definitely be in Division 1, we have got sponsors and things in because of that.”

Despite numerous phone calls, no one at the Sussex County Football League could be contacted for comment. We would welcome them to contact us on 01903 282 389.