What about Stamford?

SPECIAL!

I HAVE been reading

interest the ongoing saga about Cinderford Town and their unwillingness to take up the promotion they have won.

The other side of the coin is that Wroxham FC, who twice in the last three seasons finished in the relegation zone, are still allowed to play at Step 4.

You would think other clubs who have spent a lot of money to bring their grounds up to level four and have finished runnersup deserve a chance.

Yet the FA fail to sort out arrangements to allow runners-up to take their place. It is almost as if the FA are saying to clubs like Wroxham that it is ok if they finish in the bottom three – they will still be allowed to play at Step 4. G. SODEAUX

Cambs I DO not support or have any connection with any of these teams involved in the Cinderford debate – I’m just writing out of some sixth sense of natural justice.

Cinderford didn’t want to be promoted. I don’t see why promotion should be obligatory – some teams might feel they couldn’t cope at a higher level for all sorts of reasons.

I’m not convinced by the winners of the league WILL be promoted argument. In the third person will is the normal word and shall the emphatic.

If it read the winners of the league SHALL be promoted the argument would have been stronger.

Evesham threw a hissy fit because they had to change leagues.This happens frequently when leagues are regional. Now the affair has been sorted and both clubs are happy.

But what about Stamford – innocent victims of a farcical situation and volte-face by the authorities. There could be an issue here surrounding the legal doctrine of promissory estoppel.

By being seemingly reprieved from relegation, Stamford may have spent money that they would not have done but for that reprieve. And I read that Stamford have no right of appeal.

But Evesham did – is that justice in action? Clearly the Cinderford/Evesham situation cannot be altered again but there are precedents for there being odd numbers of teams in leagues.

Stamford’s reinstatement in the higher league should be confirmed. IAN CRAINE, London