By David Pritchard
CHATHAM Town will return to the Ryman Division One North next season after the divisions were restructured by the Football Association.
Following the end of season promotion and relegation shake-up, the Ryman South was larger than the 22 teams permitted.
As a result two teams – Chatham and newly-promoted Kent champions Thamesmead Town – have been moved into the Ryman North.
The clubs were selected for geographical reasons, as they are the closest to the clubs in the Ryman North.
The same scenario saw Dartford move last season, with Tony Burman’s side going on to win the title.
Ryman League President Alan Turvey told the Saturday Observer there was no other alternative.
He said: “We are restricted to how many teams we can have in each division so some teams had to be moved. We have got to consider that a lot of the teams in the Ryman North are from the Essex area which is just the other side of the Dartford Crossing.”
It is a familiar situation for the Chats, who were playing in the north division two seasons ago.
The biggest loss for fans is the absence of league derby matches against fellow Kent clubs Sittingbourne, Ashford and Whitstable.
Chats’ nearest league games next season are against Thamesmead Town, East Thurrock United and Tilbury.
Average attendances in the Ryman North were 41 people lower per game than in the Ryman South last season, so the move could have a negative impact on gates at Maidstone Road.
Despite this, Chats chairman Jeff Talbot is not concerned about the move.
He said: “We seem to be almost a nomadic club. It’s about how the league’s committee cut the cake across the whole country and overall this is best in terms of miles travelled.
“The downside is we miss the relationship with the other Kent clubs, but on the other hand there are a number of clubs we haven’t played so there’s an opportunity to build new relationships.
“If we were to have a good run in one of the cup competitions and drew a big club then that one game could dwarf our gate receipts for the rest of the season.”
Manager Steve Binks is used to the changes but did admit he would miss the derby matches against other Kent sides, particularly Sittingbourne.
He said: “We will be meeting sides we have not played against before so I am looking forward to that challenge.
“It’s disappointing to lose the derby games, Sittingbourne have been our main local game recently. But it’s up to us to try and improve and bring the crowds in. Dartford did not have a problem getting fans to watch teams from Essex because they were top of the league.
“From a football point of view, I just can’t wait for next season.”
POSTED: 17/05/2008 10:30:00