The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

League statement: Farnborough FC 06.11.15

6 Nov 2015 By David Watters

The FA has announced that Farnborough FC’s appeal against the League's decision to relegate them if they fail to pay their creditors has only been allowed to the extent of two modifications to correct what were deemed as flaws in the original decision.

The FA’s announcement on Friday does not alter the impact of the original decision. Farnborough FC will be automatically relegated by one Step of the National League Systems unless it has paid in full all its creditors, excluding Robert Prince and Spencer Day whose claims total £1,254,263, before the Ryman League’s 2016 AGM.

However, the Club will not need to pay any claim which has been adjudicated on and rejected by the Supervisor of the CVA and not reinstated on appeal before the 2016 AGM.

Accordingly, if Farnborough FC finish in first place they will not be promoted but will remain at Step 3 for next season; if they finish in a play-off position they will be deemed not to meet the criteria for participation in the play-offs and will remain at Step 3 for next season; if they finish outside the play-off places and in any place down to 20th, they will be relegated to Step 4 and if the club finishes in a relegation position they will be relegated to Step 5.

The Ryman League was represented at the Appeal by director Kevin Newell and chairman Nick Robinson.

Following the decision, Robinson said: “I am pleased that the League have been vindicated; this shows that clubs cannot fail to pay creditors and expect to stay where they are in the National League System.

"The sport has introduced strong measures to support those who support our clubs and we must continue to ensure that clubs play within their means.”

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