Controversial Corinthian move was approved by Football Association, insists Kent League chairman

Wednesday 05th August 2009

CORINTHIAN were voted into the Bulmers Cider Kent League Premier Division tonight - just two working days before the start of the new season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The move was part of two votes that were held at an extraordinary meeting of member clubs held at Lordswood Football Club.

The first part of the meeting heard that Division 2 outfit Welling United reserves had been given permission to rename their team in the league to Corinthian and awarded intermediate status. After a lengthy debate, a vote was passed to accept the name change.

At this point of the meeting, the only change to the constitution had been to change the name of the side competing in Division 2 from Welling United to Corinthian.

League chairman Denise Richmond then started a second part of the meeting where, with the approval of the Football Association, a proposal was made to accept Corinthian in the Premier Division.

After another debate, it was made clear that this was an internal matter and Corinthian did not need to be part of the national league structure (under Regulation for the establishment and operation of the national league system rule 6).

In a statement issued to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Richmond said: "I’m delighted to welcome Corinthian, initially to our league but also to our Premier Division.

"Our clubs passed both votes at the EGM,, underlining their support of both the name change and the movement within the league.

"It is also, of course, welcome back to Corinthian as they are a previous member of the league.

"I'm sure everyone is glad to see them with us and we wish them a successful season.

"It should also be made clear that the move of Corinthian from Division 2 to the Premier Division was done with the full approval of the Football Association."

Corinthian will not have a fixture this weekend and a further announcement regarding fixtures will be made later this week, which means Fisher's first game in the Kent League will now take place next Monday, 10th August, when local rivals Beckenham Town visit Dulwich Hamlet's Champion Hill Stadium - a game being covered LIVE by www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Meanwhile, club's can express their views of tonight's controversial move by clicking on CONTACT US, including your name, position at the club and your statement.

Visit the Kent League website: www.kentleague.com