Corinthian on the verge of first promotion into the Isthmian League on points-per-game average calculated over two Covid-19 hit seasons

CORINTHIAN are in line for promotion into the Isthmian League for the first time after being put forward as promotion candidates by points-per-game over two seasons.

Michael Golding’s side were two points behind leaders Beckenham Town and with a game in hand on Jason Huntley's men when the 2019-20 Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division campaign was halted last March due to the Covid-19 health pandemic, which lead to all football at Step Three and below to be declared null and void by The FA Council.

The club were a Southern League outfit between 1985 and 1991 before being relegated into the old Kent League.

The League crammed in as many fixtures during the start of the 2020-21 campaign and Corinthian were second in the table again, this time level on 30 points with leaders Chatham Town, whom are managed by Scott Lindsey, after 11 games a piece before the season was curtailed.

The Football Association published a document yesterday outlining their plans for the National League System between Levels Three and Six and the Gay Dawn Farm outfit are benefiting the most, with Beckenham Town and Chatham Town controversially losing out.

“For the Southern Counties East Football League, using the criteria (published by The FA), Corinthian, Kennington, Holmesdale and Rusthall could be eligible for promotion,” said a League statement.

“A large amount of sideways movement between leagues would then likely to occur.  Further details when we get them.”

Combined Counties League First Division side Tooting Bec are expecting to switch over to the Southern Counties East Football League First Division, along with Chessington & Hook United and Westside – but this is still to be confirmed by The FA Council.

Kennington were at the summit of the First Division table in both the 2019-20 and second in 2020-21 season’s and will take their deserved place in the Premier Division next season for the first time.

Dan Scorer’s Ashford-based side collected 73 points from their 32 league games over the two abandoned seasons and collected an average 2.28 points per game.

Bromley-based Holmesdale collected 66 points over their 30 league outings under Lee Roots' management at an average of 2.20, while Jimmy Anderson's Rusthall, which is on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells, seal a chance of promotion with 69 points from 33 games, at an average of 2.09.

A Rusthall statement said: "We're delighted to confirm that we will be applying for upward movement into the Premier Division following yesterday's announcement by The FA regarding the proposal to restructure the National League System at Steps Four to Six."

Rochester United miss out, having obtained an average of 2.07 over the two wasted campaigns.

Meanwhile, the League state that they “await confirmation” that Chatham Town are to be awarded three points for their abandoned game against Glebe on 19 September 2020.

Balham and Tower Hamlets did not play in the Southern Counties East Football League in 2019-20 but results from their Combined Counties League campaign during that time were used for these calculations.

The FA Council will be considering the recommendations that have been put forward in due course and clubs and League's will continue to be kept updated on this process.

It is expected that The Football Association will reveal their League constitutions for the 2021-22 season week commencing 17 May 2021.


Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division

Southern Counties East Football League First Division

Visit the Southern Counties East Football League website: www.scefl.com