DIXIE DEAN says he will not be at Lingfield next season if they are relegated from the Sussex County League Division One.
The Lingfield boss issued the warning after hearing that his side face possible relegation from the Sussex County League, despite finishing sixth in the table last season.
The County League's acting chairman Steve Nealgrove has confirmed relegations from Division One would demote teams who failed ground-grading first, regardless of where they finished in the table.
And after passing ground-grading last season, Lingfield were re-inspected this spring and failed due to a path around their pitch. The path had been concreted in during the spring of 2012, but ripped up so Lingfield Cricket Club could use the area.
Lingfield put a temporary path in its place for this year's inspection but are still waiting on the formal letter of planning permission for the path from Tandridge District Council the inspectors told the club was required.
Permission
Only two teams in Division One failed ground-grading – Lingfield and AFC Uckfield – and should the County League relegate two teams, they would be the first to go, despite Dixie Dean's men finishing the season sixth. "The path was down but it is a temporary path," he said. "We were told they wanted to see planning permission but we are still waiting for the letter from the council."
However, Lingfield will not know their fate for certain until the FA make a final decision about where Crowborough Athletic and Rye United will play next season,
Due to the Kent League Premier Division being short of teams, the FA have proposed to transfer over Sussex teams Crowborough and Rye to Kent for the 2013-14 season.
But both teams, along with the Sussex County League, have appealed against the decision.
With Redhill and Peacehaven & Telscombe securing promotion to the Ryman League and the prospect of two teams being transferred to Kent, Nealgrove admits any decisions about relegations will have to wait.
"We made a decision about relegations last Tuesday but on Wednesday we were then informed about the FA's decision to move Crowborough and Rye, which changes everything," he said.
"If we lose those teams, along with Redhill and Peacehaven, we will only have a league of 18 teams. Division Two only has 18 teams, so we can't promote more than we relegate from there and Division Three only has one team, Haywards Heath, with the facilities to go up. The Sussex County League, along with Crowborough Athletic and Rye, have lodged an appeal and we can't make any decisions until the FA hear those."
But Lingfield boss Dean is adamant that the club will appeal should they be relegated. "We spent £25,000 on the stand, we have the turnstiles and the path is there – I don't know what more they want," he said. "I thought illusion we were staying up and that is what I have been planning for. I've got my pre-season friendlies sorted. I certainly won't be here if they relegate us."
"I don't know about the sponsors, we might have to withdraw the senior team altogether."
