Ynyshir Albions have issued a statement in response to their unsuccessful Tier Three Certificate application.
The Buns were one of 12 clubs which will now have to plead their case to an independent board if they want to take part in the new regionalised leagues.
Craig Hopkins’ side finished fourth in Division Two of the Welsh League but now face a demotion to the South Wales Alliance League if they are unsuccessful on appeal.
“This is a devastating blow for us as a club who overcame great odds,” said from the club in a lengthy statement.
“Twelve months later to effectively be relegated on a technicality is particularly hard to take.
“We cannot express how proud the club is of its achievements getting to the Welsh Football League and how we performed both on and off the pitch in the 2019/20 season doing this small club and our small village very proud.
“We will now take ourselves away and ready for our appeal. Thank you to all those who back and support us.”
In an attempt to pass the criteria, Ynyshir pushed for a ground share at Dinas Park with local rivals AFC Porth, however, the club says this has been turned down due to paperwork issues.
Moves to a number of grounds have been considered however of those available, none have been able to agree to the regular kick-off slot of an early Saturday afternoon.
“We’ve reached out for financial support from numerous avenues only to have door after door shut on our face.
“It was only when it become apparent that work on The Oval would not be financed and undertaken in time for the FAW deadline that we reached out to clubs regarding the possibility of temporarily sharing a ground.
“There was also a reluctance for teams to share with us, having invested themselves in ground improvements.
“We can empathise with this because it must feel that clubs are benefiting from the work others have put in.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees, and if we received the financial support that others have benefitted from there wouldn’t be a need to request a ground share in the first place.
“We do not want to move from Ynyshir Oval, it’s our hometown and it is a ground we are extremely proud of.“
A move across the town to Dinas Park and other stadia had been explored due to their Ynyshir Oval home failing to meet the criteria on a number of accounts.
Their current home pitch falls short of the minimum pitch dimensions and their ground requires improvements such as a 100-seater stand alongside a tannoy system, spectator toilets and work on their dugouts.
Ynyshir will find out the outcome of their appeal on July 10 when the Independent Board meet to decide the outcome of their appeal.
Leave a Reply