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Cumbrian club hits out at being moved into different league
Kendal Town are fighting to avoid being moved into the Northern League – where they'll join two fellow Cumbrian clubs.
The south Cumbrians have lodged an appeal with the Football Association after expressing their “deep disappointment” at the move.
Kendal have been playing in the North West Counties League but have been placed in Northern League Division One for the 2024/25 campaign.
While that would see the Mintcakes take on Carlisle City and Penrith in Cumbrian derbies, it would also entail a majority of away trips to the north east.
The Parkside Road club have hit out at the move, claiming it was made without consultation.
They are keen to remain in the North West Counties Premier Division, where the majority of their opponents are from the Manchester/Lancashire areas.
The FA are now considering their appeal.
The club's committee has met this evening to discuss the appeals process and we are hopeful of a fair hearing.
We will provide further updates when possible https://t.co/deLJznAZUi— Kendal Town FC (@kendaltownfc) May 17, 2024
In a statement on social media, Kendal said: “Kendal Town is deeply disappointed by the FA's decision to move the club laterally to the Ebac Northern Football League – and without prior notice.
“We will be submitting an appeal to the FA and the club's committee will be meeting this evening to discuss further.”
A further update from the club said club officials had met to discuss the appeals process and were “hopeful of a fair hearing”.
The FA have responded to a request for comment. A spokesperson said: "We make every effort each season to allocate National League System [NLS] clubs to the most geographically suitable league possible.
"The clubs are allocated to a league based on the step in the NLS that they will be playing in, and their location in the country.
"These allocations are subject to appeals and any amendments to these will be confirmed in due course."
The Ebac Northern League stressed that it was a matter for the FA, a spokesman telling the News & Star: "This is a matter for the FA rather than us as a league.
"All decisions on promotion, relegation and lateral moves are made by the FA as they run the National League System."
The FA announced the prospective make-up of the Northern League on Friday, with Kendal placed in a 22-team Division One after finishing sixth in the NW Counties Premier last term.
Along with Carlisle City and Penrith, the Northern League Division One includes north east sides Birtley Town, Blyth Town, Boro Rangers, Crook Town, Easington Colliery, Guisborough Town, Marske United, Newcastle Benfield, Newcastle Blue Star, North Shields, Northallerton Town, Redcar Athletic, Seaham Red Star, Shildon, Tow Law Town, West Allotment Celtic, West Auckland Town, Whickham, and Whitley Bay.
League chairman Glenn Youngman said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new teams to our league and I’m sure they’ll be given a warm welcome by our current clubs.”
Kendal chairman Michael O’Neill, speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria, said the club only found out at 2pm on Friday of the move.
“We’re aware clubs can move laterally, it’s always a threat to any club that’s on the periphery of boundaries, but we weren’t given any prior notice that it could be us,” he said.
“As a north west town and club we’re very shocked to be told we’re going to be playing football in the north east next season.”
O’Neill said moving into a north east-based division would lead to significantly increased operational costs and a marked increase in travelling commitments for the club and players.
"Economically it's going to really hurt us," he added.
