Chaos reigns as 'new' Hampshire League gets the boot

PLANS for the new Hampshire League 2004 will almost certainly be doomed after a meeting tomorrow (Saturday 26th).

Sixteen clubs had applied to join the new set up after all but four of the former HL teams had opted to join the newly expanded Wessex League.

The old Hampshire League was formally scrapped last Saturday after a 108 year history.

Four of its members - Mottisfont, M&T Awbridge, Broughton and East Lodge were unable to meet the required ground gradings for the WL and were set to compete in the new Hampshire League, along with 12 teams from various local leagues across the county.

But the Hampshire FA Rules Revision and Competition Sanctions Committee gave it the thumbs down at a meeting on Wednesday night.

They said the decision followed a lengthy consultation process with local associations and leagues.

It was unanimously decided that the proposed new league had no benefit to the development of grass roots football.

A recommendation to that effect will be discussed at the Hants FA's Council meeting tomorrow - and it's clear that they will adopt it.

The news came as a blow to Bob Crompton, who's been spearheading the campaign to bring about the new league.

Appeal set to be lodged

"When the decision is ratified we'll almost certainly lodge an appeal with the National FA," he told me.

"We feel that the clubs who opted to come into our new league have been badly let down.

"The nine Southampton area clubs, including Mottisfont, who won Hants Div 2 this past season, will go back into the Southampton League in a division all of their own.

"That has to be a crazy state of affairs."

Mottisfont vice chairman, Gordon Collins, commented: "It's a bitter blow for us. I can't understand the reasoning behind the decision.

"Playing in a separate, closed league of just nine clubs under the Southampton League umbrella is unlikely to be very satisfactory.

"It's a shame that when people are prepared to make a go of the proposed new Hampshire League that officials won't let them."

Now the North Hants League, which was set to disband, is likely to stay in operation with several of its clubs, including Upham and Vernham Dean, finding their way to the Hampshire League blocked.