The club was not looking to move leagues, we were more than happy in the Southern Counties East Football League, says Crowborough Athletic chairman Malcolm Boyes

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC chairman Malcolm Boyes says the club were happy to remain in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Sean Muggeridge’s side finished their final Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division campaign in tenth-place and reached the Challenge Cup Final for the first time, losing 5-2 to quadruple winners Sheppey United on Bank Holiday Monday, 2 May.

“I’ve been delighted to see the club improve through the 2021-22 season, on and off the pitch,” Boyes said in a statement.

“The first team achieved more than was expected by many, we reached a cup final, although sadly the result didn’t go our way.  That was the icing on the cake for us all, the committee, managers, players and supporters.”

Crowborough Athletic’s eight-year stint in the Kent based division has now come to an end and will make their Southern Combination League Premier Division debut next season – the Sussex County League in old money.

“The club was not looking to move leagues, we were more than happy in the Southern Counties East Football League,” added Boyes.

“We know, however, that because we are a border club and have been moved in the past, we were always likely to be on everyone’s radar for lateral movement.

“Every club gets the usual Christmas email from their FA, informing them that they may be moved.  Every club’s fate is determined by who gets relegated from the league above.

“In our case, with Phoenix Sports and Whitstable Town being relegated to the SCEFL, our destiny was foretold.

“As for how the switch will affect the club, personally I don’t think it will mean much at all.

“The perception that we’ll lose players, they’ll be more travelling or that the league isn’t as strong, is not backed up by the facts. 

“You always get a turnover of players every season for many different reasons. 

“Regarding the travel times on away days, the distance we’ll cover over the course of the season will be around 150 miles less in reality.

“On the standard of the league itself, I can only say that Littlehampton Town have reached The FA Vase Final this season.”

Visit Crowborough Athletic’s website: www.crowboroughathletic.com