The Football Association is facing legal action from non-league clubs after their season was declared null and void.
The governing body on Thursday announced an end to the campaign for steps three to seven of England's non-league pyramid, with all results expunged.
Runaway leaders of the Isthmian North Division, Maldon and Tiptree, were 14 points clear and heading into the National League before the decision but they have now been left out of pocket and facing another season at step three, despite a brilliant campaign that also included a run to the FA Cup second round.
Chairman Eddy Garty told Standard Sport: "We have certainly got to look at legal action. Is there a way we can look at getting the money back we spent?
"But that's secondary. We're more disappointed in the decision but it does have a huge financial impact on us, as for any club.
"The FA say it's null and void, it didn't happen. Actually it did happen. Who's going to pay for that? Right now, we are."
Hastings United were top of the Isthmian South East by three points with two games in hand over their nearest rivals and the club's CEO Billy Wood told Standard Sport: "We're a wounded animal at the moment, we've taken a hit and we have to come back fighting. Whether that's through protesting or seeking legal action, we can't rule anything out.
"We've already started a dialogue with other clubs. It's not just clubs who were set for promotion – other clubs think this is wrong too. Some will miss promotion but have still invested heavily to challenge. They feel the same as we do. Non-league football needs to pull together."
South Shields also looked certain to win promotion from the Northern Premier League after opening up a 12-point lead over FC United of Manchester before the league was halted a fortnight ago.
Chairman Geoff Thompson described the decision as "appalling" and said: "South Shields will be writing to the FA in the strongest possible terms and will seek an appeal or will take legal action."
