Bashley and Newport IoW can look forward to playing Fleet Town again next season in the Isthmian League Division 1.

After a yo-yo summer that has seen Fleet down, up and then down again, they have had verbal confirmation from the FA that they will not be relegated.

Fleet, who finished bottom of the Dr Martens Eastern Division, were resigned to returning to the Wessex League after falling victim to a monumental mix-up during the non-League restructuring.

When the final whistle blew last season, the north Hampshire club seemed doomed, but then the Southern League informed them unofficially that no one would be going down.

But after a U-turn by the FA, they were told there would be relegation after all and Fleet's only faint hope of survival hinged on Kent League promotees Cray Wanderers failing to get permission to groundshare with Bromley.

Cray eventually got the green light, leaving Fleet staring at a third stint in the Wessex ranks - or so they thought!

The demise of Southall Town has changed all that. Their withdrawal from the Southern Division 1 East allows Sittingbourne to remain a Dr Martens club.

Fleet, in turn, will take Sittingbourne's place in the Isthmian Division 1.

Steve Cantle, Fleet's press officer, said: "We're thrilled to bits to get this reprieve.

"We had an awful season on the pitch last season and it's been an awful summer too with all the ifs and buts over relegation. It's nice that things have finally gone our way."

The news adds more salt to the wounds of FA Vase winners Winchester City who were turned down for promotion from the Wessex League because their ground was not up to scratch.

Cantle said: "I can see why Winchester would be fed up after the season they've had but, the way I see it, this is a gift for Fleet. We'd have had to work very hard for a prize like this had we gone into the Wessex next season. I know of at least half a dozen clubs who would be delighted to be where we are now.

"It's nice to get a break like this because Fleet haven't had much luck and we too felt unfairly treated."

Manager Mick Catlin will have the bonus of an improved budget next season to take on the likes of Bashley, Newport IoW and crowd-pullers AFC Wimbledon.

Cantle said: "We'd expect to be very competitive in this new league and it's ideal for us because we've got a lot more local derbies. Teams like Wimbledon, Tooting & Mitcham and Met Police are all reasonably easy to get to."