Southwick FC shock as they say they've been relegated from SCFL

Southwick FC say they are in shock after they were ordered to drop down the non-league pyramid - meaning they exit the Southern Combination League.
By Steve Bone
Published 30th Jul 2020, 08:38 BST
Updated 30th Jul 2020, 17:06 BST
Southwick in SCFL action at Bexhill earlier this yearSouthwick in SCFL action at Bexhill earlier this year
Southwick in SCFL action at Bexhill earlier this year

The Wickers were founder members of the league but will start the 2020-21 season in the Championship division of the Mid Sussex League.

They say the punishment is down to financial issues related to their previous owner.

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The SCFL said it was disappointed not to have been informed of the relegation by the FA and had found out when Southwick issued a statement.

Southwick FC tweeted the following statement on Wednesday: "This afternoon the club have been informed that we have been removed out of the National League system and we have dropped two divisions into the Mid Sussex Football League."

The club added: "This has come as a total shock to the club and everyone at the club is devastated as it is completely out of our hands.

"We have been founders of the county league since 1920 and we have been removed.

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"The players and committee are also very excited for the new project and getting back into NLS. Management and players have all committed to getting this club back to where it should be and we are 100 per cent confident of this happening."

The Wickers have thanked the many clubs and people in the non-league world who have expressed sympathy. They tweted on Thursday morning:" Thank you to everyone who has sent us their best wishes, we are still in shock however we will look at this as a new opportunity to get the club back on its feet and back where it belongs!"

SCFL chairman Steve Nealgrove said: "We knew there was an investigation happening by the FA into Southwick FC but we have not been notified by the FA as to the outcome - we have like many people read about this initially on Twitter and then later received an email from the club informing us of their situation.

"This is devastating news for the football club and I am trying to find out more as it seems very severe to relegate the club out of the NLS to district football and I am also very disappointed in the FA in not informing us at the same time as the club."

The FA has been contacted for a comment.

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