Isthmian League side Thatcham Town are appealing their sideways move to the Southern League Division One South following the release of the FA’s National League System (NLS) allocations on Friday.
The move would see the West Berkshire side switch Step 4 derbies with Ascot United and Binfield for trips to Devon and Cornwall sides like Falmouth Town, Mousehole and Exmouth Town.
Thatcham chairman Paul Ayres said the move would have ‘serious negative consequences for us’ – a place in the Southern League was previously the club’s undoing back in 2014 when it took voluntary demotion to the Hellenic League.
The Kingfishers – FA Vase winners in 2018 – have been making progress on the pitch under manager Yashwa Romeo. The club have forged links with Reading FC and Maidenhead United and finished a very creditable eighth in the Isthmian League South Central Division One last season.
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In an open letter to Football in Berkshire, Ayres wrote: “This decision will have serious negative consequences for us, severely affecting the family and working lives of our players and potentially leading to a financial crisis that could threaten our club’s sustainability and ability to compete.
“Most teams in the Southern League South Division are located in the South West, including four in Devon and three in Cornwall. As a result, we will need to travel approximately 4,492 miles for away games throughout the season—an increase of 110% compared to last season, resulting in more than double the travel time.
“This will significantly increase our transportation costs. As a grassroots club, our budget cannot accommodate such large increases. The additional expenses for fuel and potentially hiring coaches for longer trips would put a considerable strain on our financial resources.
“Additionally, the increased travel time will affect our players and management, who often juggle work and family commitments alongside their passion for football. The extended travel requirements of the Southern League will greatly disrupt their personal lives. Longer travel time means more time away from families, increased stress on their work commitments, and a higher risk of burnout. This move could force some players to choose between their livelihoods, family responsibilities, and their dedication to the club, leading to a potential loss of committed players.
“Finally, we are conscious of our environmental responsibilities, and this change would result in a drastic 100% increase in the carbon emissions produced by our club, directly conflicting with our environmental goals and commitment to sustainability.”
