Ardley United will face Berkshire opposition again after having their swap request accepted to join the Combined Counties League Premier Division North.
A couple of weeks ago the Football Association revealed the line-ups for Steps 2-6 across the country. As is customary plenty of teams were unhappy with their placement and have appealed to the FA about their placing. Most notably Bishops Stortford, a stone’s throw from Stanstead Airport, have appealed their allocation of the Vanarama National League North.
One such appeal to potentially affect Berkshire clubs was Ardley United’s request to be placed in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North instead of the Spartan South Midlands Premier. Using a bit of common sense Ardley United contacted London Lions (who had been allocated to the Combined Counties) and asked if a swap may be beneficial for both clubs.
The joint appeal the clubs made has been heard and accepted by the Football Association and it means that Ardley United will be facing Berkshire opposition in the upcoming season and London Lions will play in the Spartan League.
It means that Holyport, Reading City, Virginia Water, Wallingford & Crowmarh, Wokingham & Emmbrook and Burnham will have to make a trip up the M40 to Ardley United for what is likely to be one of the longest away trips of the season rather than a trip around the M25 to London Lions.
Whether Ardley United prove tougher opposition than London Lions would remains to be seen.
