Chatham delight as they return south

Friday 29th May 2009

THE FOOTBALL Association have confirmed this morning the clubs that will be playing Ryman League football next season, writes Stephen McCartney.

A statement issued by the Ryman League today warned, "The FA have said that in releasing the allocations, there could still be change, as there remain issues with a couple of clubs, not in the Ryman League, to be resolved."

There was good news for Terry Yorath's Margate, who have been reprieved from relegation from the Ryman Premier League, due to appeals against demotion for Cammell Laird and King's Lynn were rejected by the Football Association.

Chatham Town switch from Ryman One North to their rightful place in Ryman One South, although Thamesmead Town remain in Ryman One North, but they do have one Kent rival, in promoted neighbours VCD Athletic.

Chatham's director of football, Steve Binks, who managed the side in Ryman One North last season, briefly told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this lunchtime, "Fantastic news and we're looking forward to several local derbies next season."

The Medway club, who will be managed by Alex O'Brien next season, can now look forward to lucrative Kent derbies against Ashford Town, Folkestone Invicta, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Whitstable Town.

The new Ryman League season kick's off on Saturday, 15th August 2009.

Ryman League constitution 2009-2010.

Premier Division

AFC Hornchurch

Ashford Town (Middx)

Aveley

Billericay Town

Bognor Regis Town

Boreham Wood

Canvey Island

Carshalton Athletic

Cray Wanderers

Dartford

Harrow Borough

Hastings United

Hendon

Horsham

Kingstonian

Maidstone United

Margate

Sutton United

Tonbridge Angels

Tooting & Mitcham United

Waltham Abbey

Wealdstone

Division One North

Brentwood Town

Cheshunt

Concord Rangers

East Thurrock United

Enfield Town

Great Wakering Rovers

Harlow Town

Heybridge Swifts

Ilford

Leyton

Lowestoft Town

Maldon Town

Northwood

Potters Bar Town

Redbridge

Romford

Thamesmead Town

Tilbury

VCD Athletic

Waltham Forest

Ware

Wingate & Finchley

Division One South

Ashford Town

Burgess Hill Town

Chatham Town

Chipstead

Corinthian-Casuals

Croydon Athletic

Dulwich Hamlet

Eastbourne Town

Fleet Town

Folkestone Invicta

Godalming Town

Horsham YMCA

Leatherhead

Merstham

Metropolitan Police

Ramsgate

Sittingbourne

Walton & Hersham

Walton Casuals

Whitstable Town

Whyteleafe

Worthing

Visit the Ryman Football League's website: www.isthmian.co.uk