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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sam Carroll

Merseyside clubs unite to fight 'needless and inexplicable' FA decision

Merseyside clubs have joined together in adding their signature to an open letter addressed to the Football Association countering the decision to null and void steps 3-6 of the non-league system.

The FA made the surprise move last week despite some leagues - including the North West Counties - being 30 matches into the campaign.

Vauxhall Motors, who had already sealed promotion, added their name to the list of 62 signatures accompanying the letter as well as Bootle, Lower Breck and AFC Liverpool.

The latter three clubs would all have been promoted on a points-per-game basis at this stage.

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"Our concern is grounded primarily in the needless and inexplicable haste exercised in reaching the decision, coupled with a total lack of substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs," the three-page document reads.

"The decision also disregards the millions of pounds invested and countless hours expended collectively by clubs, and so has critical financial implications."

The FA are also asked why the National League was not affected by the ruling.

"How can the FA possibly justify treating different steps under the non-league banner differently?" the letter continues.

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"It is incomprehensible to treat leagues differently; you cannot undermine the integrity of the footballing pyramid by applying a different set of rules to one group and not the others."

Popular Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, chairman of Biggleswade United in the Spartan South Midlands Football League, also added his signature.

You can read the letter in full HERE.

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