Lowestoft told they must stay in the north
Following the expulsion of Salisbury City, Lowestoft Town have had an appeal to be reinstated into the Conference South rejected.
A couple of weeks back Lowestoft Town submitted an appeal to the Football Conference, with it looking likely that Salisbury City were going to be expelled from the Conference South.
The appeal was to request that the Football Conference consider moving Lowestoft Town back to the Conference South, if Salisbury City were expelled. On top of this and to aid in there being very little disruption, Lowestoft Town even offered in their appeal to take Salisbury City's fixtures on if moved back to the South from the North.
The Football Conference met on Thursday evening and the following statement is from the Football Conference website:-
"At Thursday's Football Conference Ltd Board meeting, the Directors considered an application from Lowestoft Town FC to be placed in Conference South division, in the wake of Salisbury City FC’s expulsion from the competition.
The Directors declined the request and confirmed the constitution of divisions for season 2014/15 will not be subject to any further change following the imposition of conditional amendments agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
Whilst the Board does not accept any right of appeal by Salisbury City FC Ltd against the club’s expulsion from membership on July 4th, made in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, the Board recognises such a challenge may be made against its decision.
As a consequence of the above, the Conference South division will comprise twenty-one member clubs for season 2014/15 unless any forthcoming challenge from Salisbury City FC Ltd dictates otherwise".
This is a disappointing outcome for Lowestoft Town, who were hoping to convince the Football Conference to switch them back. Lowestoft Town chairman Gary Keyzor commented on the decision by saying; "Well we had a bash at convincing the Conference league to move us back into the South and give us Salisbury City's fixture list, but to no avail. Nevermind onwards and upwards (literally), No more A12 for a while. Plenty of positivity as we embark on a new adventure in the Conference North Division. Bring it on!!!".
Terry Bullen