Spartan South Midlands League club Risborough Rangers hits out at the FA’s decision to deny them promotion to step 4 of non league.
The Buckinghamshire based club, who play in the ninth tier of English football, had a superb season on the pitch, but off it, were dealt with a huge blow.
They had achieved promotion to the Isthmian League (the eighth division in the English football pyramid) along with the London-based side, New Salamis a few weeks back.
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the BEP Stadium this afternoon and for your support throughout the season. We really appreciate it❤️
And a big thank you to Super Charlie Carter for his amazing pics all season📷❤️ pic.twitter.com/T3BJm9igLa
— Risborough Rangers FC (@RRFC_1971) April 23, 2022
Both clubs played each other on Saturday, in the hope that they could be participating at a higher level for 2022/23, with further confirmation needed.
The game was a title decider and going into it, Risborough were top on 93 points whilst New Salamis had been in second on 91.
It was New Salamis however that were crowned the league winners after Risborough lost the game 2-0.
Not only that, but the day was made worse when they confirmed to fans on social media that they had failed their appeal and ground grading.
This news meant that New Salamis would go up automatically, with Hadley moving to second.
RISBOROUGH CLUB STATEMENT:
“Risborough Rangers is bitterly disappointed that the FA has upheld its decision not to allow the club promotion to Step 4 because of its ground grading.
“The club had less time in which to complete the required works because of the FA’s late announcement last summer about Rangers’ promotion to Step 5. The club also faced significant delays with its planning application which was only granted in March 2022 despite being submitted in August last year.
“The club has Planning Approval. It has an FA grant, and it has contracts with builders and suppliers for the work to be carried out, which will be completed by no later than 31 May.
“The FA’s decision not to allow the club a short extension of 8 weeks, which would have no impact on the start of the new season, is an example of the gap between the FA’s rhetoric about supporting grassroots football and the reality. Promoting teams based on their facilities rather than their performances on the pitch undermines the integrity of the game.”
View this post on Instagram
Twitter users gave their reaction as the club hits out at FA’s decision to deny them promotion to step 4 of non league…
@Neil_Beasley: I don’t know the club or more about the situation than what’s in that statement but on the face of it it seems rather harsh and not really in the spirit of the game
@GeorgeB33671835: Bottom line is they have bought their way to the top of the table without a second thought about their ground! Their ground isn’t even step 5 standard yet they’re staying at step 5? This stinks of brown envelopes given to the right people!
@JamesTaylor433: Simple way to look at it is if they spent a months wages on the ground they would have a step 5 ground 😂
@scotty8461: Not surprised one bit the FA are so far removed from grass roots football it’s scary
@DjChristheshirt: Rules are rules. Heard this all before with other clubs and i dont think ive heard of anyone winning a appeal.
@TuffreyJohn: Welwyn Garden City just won their appeal. Agree it’s rare though.
@UtdSunday: problem with all that is clubs spend thousands on thier grounds to keep them upto standard that means you dont have thousands to spend on players . we all know that you can only do one or the other. success on the pitch is great but we have to a level playing field.
@alfielea10: @RRFC_1971 Not the best ground I have been to and for me it needs a lot of work doing, but they have there own ground not like @NewSalamisFCUK …but the fa are happy for a team to go up with no ground and play where they want.
@Allthebadgesbu1: I’m sure if they were having planning issues they would have informed FA that they had delays. I suspect they prioritised to much on the pitch not enough off it. They knew the risk .
@AdielMannion21: Couldn’t of happened to a nicer bunch
@Fishingbaz: Disgrace! @johnnyP_NCFC
@johnnyP_NCFC: Ridiculous. Confirmation the game is played by players, watched by fans and run by old guys sitting round wearing blazers. Disgraceful.
@scotti1973: After all we’ve been through the last couple of years with the delays and league postponements due to the Covid outbreak.Surely the FA could let them get their ground done within the 8 weeks prior to the new season. Non league is struggling without the FA putting blocks on. 😠😱
@nomis1066: Once again FA pen pushers effectively destroy what a club has achieved where it matters – on the pitch.
@Grassroots4good: This is bad and in no way supporting grassroots clubs to grow and develop 🌱⚽️🟢⚪ #grassrootsforgood #grassrootsfootballrevolution #thistimeforgood
@ACTaylor96: Really hate seeing stuff like this. Joy after a season of hard work trampled on, most probably over something trivial that wouldn’t have an impact on 99.5% of games. @RRFC_1971 #nonleague
@JohnPhillips67: Shocking by the FA, but unfortunately I am not surprised at all. Run by idiots!
@CUSSLEWIS: The FA hasn’t been fit for purpose for a very long time in my view. Such ridiculous deadlines at grassroots level and little thought/support of it’s member clubs at all. I’m so very sorry for the Risborough club and it’s very hard working people such as the evergreen Bob Rayner.
@NeilCare: The same thing happened to @DoverAthletic in 1990. Whilst our stadium fell short of Conference League requirements Dover provided evidence that all works would be completed before the season started. Despite this promotion was still denied. Disgraceful…
@BarryStGermain1: And the work was completed on time as promised. I think there was also some suggestion that the chairman of the runner-up held a position on the league board making the decision. Over 30 years ago and the injustice of it still infuriates me!!!
@NonleaguefootyW: Tried to buy the league. Bottled it. See where you’d have finished if you’d spent the money on the ground and not players. Off you fuck.
@GHillary: Such disappointment, especially given what team team achieved previously during the disruption covid. FA and non- leagues were so dependent on the goodwill of clubs during such a difficult time. It is a shame they couldn’t support Risborough knowing that they would be ready.
@lissimore_ian: Went this season in the cup with @BuckinghamAth. We were proud that night getting beaten narrowly by a great side. We thought what a place to watch football. 🤔👏👏
@lissimore_ian: A great place to watch football 💯
@rattusashbun_1: The FA are all at sea when it comes to grassroots and have been for years. From struggling to get a administration system working to adjudicating promotion/supporting facility development they fail clubs time and time again
@SymondsMark: This is why oversight of the FA can not come soon enough. They are a law upon themselves, they make decisions that are only in their own interest and not for grassroots football.
@GeorgeB33671835: What a bitter response to this decision! Bottom line is you’re lucky to be able to REMAIN at step 5, especially when your ground isn’t even at step 5 standard! Dread having to come here again next season! 🙄
@Bungle_Official: Leagues for facilities not abilities, throughout!
@georgercheetham: Shocker. FA f*cks something up. *that doesn’t make them money*.
@daveambler: When facilities are deemed to be more important than results on the pitch you have an issue. No flexibility to help a club reach its potential is a disgrace.
@NutSporting: Gutted for you, had a great season & those wankers at the FA decide otherwise.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login