Football: League denies plan to disband division

Ridgeons League secretary Nigel Spurling has written to Stowmarket Town to allay fears the league’s first division would be closed down at the end of this season.

A report in the Green’Un said the lack of numbers in the division meant consideration was being given to making the league just one section.

That could have meant clubs being forcibly relegated to the Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League and other leagues at that level throughout East Anglia if they finished outside the top three places this season.

But Spurling said: "There has been no consideration given to disbanding the division at any time.

"The management committee are, however, naturally concerned at the falling number of clubs in the division and are keen to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

"To that end the matter has been debated at our meetings.

"Our long-term aim is to grow the division back to its authorised capacity of 22 clubs in order that there can be healthy promotion and relegation to and from our Step 7 feeder leagues."

Spurling said the matter would be discussed with all clubs at the Regional Clubs’ Meetings in March.

• Read the Green'Un update, here.