Blue Square AGM News
By Christopher Vessey - 08/06/2008 13:18
Saturday just gone was the day of the Blue Square Conference’s annual AGM. As with most previous seasons, certain clubs were about to feel the pinch for their financial decisions and problems…
Subject to an FA appeal this coming Wednesday, it has been confirmed that Halifax Town have been relegated from the Blue Square Premier, with Cambridge City falling from the South division, and Nuneaton Borough and Boston United crashing out of the North. None of these four clubs had finished in the relegation placings in their respective decisions.
The reason for Halifax Town’s demotion is their failure to secure new ownership and failing to sort out their long running CVA problems, and they will be expected to reform in the Northern Premier League. Cambridge City spent all their limited funds on a court battle against ground owners, meaning no cash was available to upgrade their Milton Road ground to fall into line with FA Ground Rulings. They will now ply their trade in the Southern League.
Nuneaton Borough had amassed debts of almost £1,000,000 and rather than opt for the administration route, they entered voluntary liquidation and now hope to be reformed as part of the BGB Midlands League - the division to be undecided. Boston United are in the same boat as Halifax, after failing to qualify under the League’s membership rules with regards to their financial dealings.
The knock on effect means reprieves for various sides. Altrincham will survive at the expense of Halifax in the Blue Square Premier for the third season running, despite finishing 21st. Hucknall Town and Vauxhall Motors remain in the Northern section due to Boston and Nuneaton’s failings, whilst Dorchester Town regain South membership at the expense of Cambridge City. Redditch United, who had been earmarked for a stint in the Blue Square South (after four Northern clubs were demoted from the BSP) have now been re-instated in the North. Worcester, another side moved from North to South, will remain in the South division.
Boston and Halifax will hear appeals by the FA on Wednesday, but both are likely to fail in their bids. If so, this would mean the Blue Square Premier line-up will consist of the following teams -
halifax and possibley boston? could be joining us in the unibond prem next season.
for the loss of vauxhall and hucknall. not a bad exchange then.