Express & Star

Tividale are taking their case to the FA

Tividale are appealing to the FA after being failing to gain promotion to the Midland League Premier.

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The Beeches outfit finished second in the West Midlands Premier last term.

Being runners-up does not usually result in going up but with Ilkeston Town going up from the Midland League Division One – another feeder league – into the Premier as runners-up, Tivi manager Dave King is struggling to find sense in the situation.

“If Ilkeston weren’t going up, we wouldn’t have any grounds to complain about it, really,” said King.

“Because Ilkeston are in there, though, going up, we have a case.

“Them getting promoted and not us doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t seem right to me.”

What particularly grates on King and his Tividale comrades is that they had a higher points-per-game ratio than Ilkeston – 2.34 to 2.26.

“There is an appeal now, that is going to happen. It’s disappointing, but it is what it is,” said King.

“Hopefully we’ll win the appeal and go up – and deservedly so.

“The lads will really be gutted if it doesn’t happen now.”

Wolverhampton Sporting won the West Midlands Premier in fantastic fashion and have had their spot in the Midland Premier confirmed.

Also in the Midland Premier will be Walsall Wood, bouncing back at the first attempt following a superb season under former Saddlers striker Gary Birch.

Remaining in the West Midlands Premier are Bewdley Town, Bilston Town, Black Country Rangers, Cradley Town, Dudley Sports, Dudley Town, Smethwick, Wednesfield and Wolverhampton Casuals.

Coming up into the league are Shropshire side Wem Town, while Newport Town – managed by former Wolves striker Adam Proudlock – are appealing after being denied promotion to the division.

They have been refused due to an upcoming ground-share with Eccleshall as rules state you cannot do so in order to gain promotion or relegation.

Newport are arguing they notified the league of their plans to find a new home in November and swiftly told the league after making the agreement with Eccleshall.

Stone Old Alleynians are no longer in the West Midlands League. They have made a sideways step into the newly-formed North West Counties League Division One South. Stone Dominoes are in that division too.