THE Southern Counties East League has been shocked this week by the news one of it's oldest members, Beckenham Town, want to join the Combined Counties League - but having managed in both leagues, Whyteleafe boss John Fowler thinks it's a smart move.
Beckenham have been members of the Southern Counties East League, formerly called the Kent League, for more than 30 years but are considering moving west to the mainly Surrey-based Combined Counties citing more games and travelling ease as positives.
"We have not been happy in the Kent League for a considerable time now and the general feeling is that the club would benefit from a change of environment," Beckenham's secretary Peter Palmer said in a statement on www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.
"It would be nice if the change could be achieved by way of promotion to the Ryman League, however that's not going happen at present and the alternative is a switch to the Combined Counties League.
"Geographically it makes sense: we almost straddle the Kent/Surrey border and we already compete by invitation in the Surrey Senior Cup.
"We need to play more matches. For the second consecutive season we are on course to play less than 50 games and it's simply not enough.
"We have been badly hit a by drop in attendances at Eden Park Avenue this season and that is also part of our consideration. We understand that we need to make application to join the Combined Counties League by the end of the year so there is not a lot of time."
And Whyteleafe boss Fowler, who joined the Church Road club from Combined Counties League side Croydon, believes the Southern Counties East League is the more competitive division.
"I think [Beckenham] would have more chance of promotion to the Ryman League from the Combined Counties League," he said. "At the moment I would say the CCL is weaker than the Kent League, now that they don't have Guernsey or Egham.
"I like the Kent League because the travelling is easier than the CCL; Canterbury and Deal are a long way, but it's easier than travelling into Greater London on a weekday night.
"It's just a shame there are so few games. But Whyteleafe don't really want to be in the Kent League or the CCL; we're hoping to be in the Ryman."
