Why haven't Casuals been relegated? askes upset Darts fan - EXCLUSIVE

Monday 18th June 2007

Dartford supporter Trevor Burgess was the first to contact www.kentishfootball.co.uk after hearing the news that his club will not be playing against Kent derbies in the Ryman League next season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Dartford were switched from Ryman League Division One South to the Northern Division at tonight’s Ryman League AGM at Staines Town.

27 member clubs voted that the Kent club should be the ones that should switch divisions, whilst Corinthian-Casuals (21 votes) and Molesey (2) stayed where they are. There were 10 clubs that abstained.

Corinthian-Casuals have played their get out of jail card again - escaping the drop for two successive seasons despite finishing their last two campaign’s in the Ryman One South relegation zones.

And another Surrey side, Molesey have won their fight to stay in the Southern Division.

“The Ryman League management is a joke and they move us around like a pawn,” raged Mr Burgess.

“Corinthian-Casuals should have been relegated just as they should have been last season.

“I dare say the South teams voted against moving us as they know just how much money they will lose out on, the North equally so for moving us with a mixed vote from the Premier, maybe.

“But if we are in the North, the rival clubs will enjoy playing at Princes Park and we should be taking 150-200 fans or more away so we will make the most of it and hopefully win the League and get out of this awful division.”

Instead of playing their Kentish rivals Ashford Town, Chatham Town, Cray Wanderers, Dover Athletic, Sittingbourne and Whitstable Town and clubs in Surrey and Sussex in Ryman One South next season, the Darts will be travelling through the tunnel into Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and North London to play less glamorous sides.

Mark Wyver, a supporter of newly promoted side Whitstable Town, added: “Nothing surprises me anymore with the restructuring.

“I am very disappointed as a Whitstable Town supporter that we have lost a Kent derby - I hope Dartford will appeal against this decision.”

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