MAGPIES ARE ‘FALL-GUYS’
CHAIRMAN Ken Wright says Chorley will feel ‘a bit hard done by’ if they are the only team relegated in the whole of Non-League football this season.
Steps 3 to 7 were pronounced null and void back in March, which had a knock-on effect in meaning that there was no need for relegation from National League North and South.
Until a few days ago, it appeared as though Chorley, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet would be relegated from the top-flight if points per game was applied.
However, the fact it now looks certain there will be no play-offs at Step 2 means only one club needs to be relegated from the National League – and basement boys Chorley look set to be the fall-guys.
Clubs are set to vote by tomorrow and if a majority are in favour of the National League’s proposals, then the Magpies’ fate will be sealed.
Chorley co-owner Wright, 76, told The NLP: “We were where we were in the league because we haven’t been good enough – we aren’t making any excuses over that.
“Having said that, we have made the point to the league that we will be the only club relegated in the National League – how can that be fair?
“I think they are going to take a lot of criticism and I’m led to believe there are all sorts of things going on online. People are going to look at it and say ‘what’s going on?’.”
Wright isn’t holding out much hope that Chorley will earn a reprieve when the votes are tallied up tomorrow.
“There’s a lot of self-interest in football,” said the former Magpies boss. “Why should other clubs be bothered about what happens to Chorley unless they have some sensibility that this doesn’t look right?
“We are disappointed to say the least, but we will have to see what the outcome is and deal with it as a football club. If we are relegated, we are relegated and will have to start again in National League North.”
Asked about the possibility of taking legal action if they do go down, Wright, who attended the funeral of former chairman Derek Hicks on Friday, said: “It’s something we will have to consider, but, again, doing that requires income which isn’t really available at the moment.”