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.
Both sides were selected for geographical reasons, as they are the closest to the rest of the Ryman North clubs.
The same scenario saw Dartford move last season, with Tony Burman’s side going on to win the title.
Ryman League President Alan Turvey 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 across the border.”
It is a familiar situation for the Chats, who were playing in the north division two seasons ago for the same reasons.
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.”
POSTED: 15/05/2008 10:22:59