WITTON Albion will not be returning to the UniBond Premier despite a rival northern club going out of business.
Newcastle Blue Star withdrew from the league after announcing unpaid debts of £150,000 and being unable to salvage the financial situation.
But rather than send Witton back to the Premier, as the next club in line following relegation last season, the UniBond League has confirmed that the Premier will continue with just 21 teams.
It means manager Gary Finley and chairman Mark Harris will continue their preparations for the UniBond First Division South.
Harris told the Chronicle that he was satisfied with the league’s decision. He said: “Because Newcastle Blue Star resignation from the league took effect after the UniBond Leagues were constituted then the league will stay at 21, unless the FA were to bring any pressure to bear which is pretty unlikely. There is no way around it.
“It’s highly regrettable Newcastle Blue Star took this long to make their decision and I know that the FA made strenuous efforts to contact NBS before the AGM.”
Despite the door being closed after Blue Star withdrew from the league, officials, players and supporters of Witton will be interested in the uncertainty surrounding the future of Leeds club Farsley Celtic.
The Blue Square North club is facing a winding up order and will attend a hearing today at the High Court in London. Outstanding debts owed to the Inland Revenue has forced the club to enter administration and a decision on whether Farsley can continue to play at that level will be taken.
“If Farsley become a phoenix club and start from the bottom and the FA are minded of the situation, there an awful lot of circumstances that need to go our way. But to be honest, it will make life very difficult for us as we are trying to plan to a budget and sign players based on playing in the South.”
Witton have announced five preseason friendlies so far with more expected to be confirmed soon. They are: 14/07 Rossendale United (a), 21/07 Fleetwood Town (h), 25/07 Southport (h), 28/07 Runcorn Linnets (h), 12/08 Manchester City Youth (home at 7pm).
