WITH the confirmation of the Ryman League constitution released yesterday, there was one notable omission from the Ryman North list - VCD Athletic FC.

The list was issued to all Ryman clubs with the following proviso: ‘The FA have asked that the allocations are published with a note advising you there are a number of outstanding issues still to be resolved and the listings may be subject to subsequent change.’

The Vickers are unable to comment too much at this moment in time as an appeal has been lodged with the FA (issued approx two weeks ago) in response to a letter received from the Ryman League notifying the club of their impending relegation.

This notification letter, as far as VCD are aware, is not in accordance to previously advised deadlines for the works to the perimeter path, hence the appeal being lodged with the FA.

The works to the path are well under way ahead of the proposed June 12 deadline and the Ryman League were advised of their commencement with an invite to inspect progress.

The path works are in addition to the previous work completed at Oakwood, including raised handrails and infills to the perimeter of the pitch and previous work on the pathway to achieve a fully compacted surface, all at considerable expense.

If the Vickers should fail in their appeal, it would have a severe impact on the club both in financial and football terms given the considerable work completed over the last five years to achieve the ambition of promotion to the Ryman League.

As manager Paul Foley had warned in his recent review of the season, there were ‘more important things for the club to resolve before we can think about where we are targeting next season’.

This prediction proved to be correct following the release of the Ryman allocations.

Interestingly, Harlow Town, who were subjected to a points deduction by the league and were rumoured to be saddled with financial problems, have been granted a reprieve as a result of VCD’s relegation.

Will the manager’s closing statement that the squad have ‘all agreed to stay at the club, subject to what happens with the ground grading obviously’ reverberate over the close season?

It would appear VCD were expecting the Ryman to give due consideration to the considerable work completed to the ground over the season but this was not forthcoming and they will now be in the hands of the FA's appeals process.

It is fair to say the Ryman issue of the allocations list does include a caveat to the possible amendment of the list, so VCD’s step four existence literally hangs in the balance despite their magnificent efforts on the pitch over the season in their debut outing in the league.

It will be interesting to see how this issue pans out given the commonly regarded view Oakwood is one of the better grounds in the Ryman North and other clubs have grounds which do not meet the required stadia criteria.

Watch this space, as there is never a dull moment at Oakwood.