Football club makes the grade

Club secretary Roger Bond confirmed that Rye have achieved the ‘F Grade’ required to play in Sussex County Football League Division One.

He said: “We got a blanket letter from the league congratulating all the teams in the division on achieving the F Grade. Clive (Taylor, Rye chairman) has put a lot of time into it.”

Key points of the grading requirements are possessing hard standing on at least two-and-a-half sides, covered accommodation for 200 spectators, including at least 100 seats, and a clubhouse on or adjacent to the ground.

As well as satisfying the requirements for a division in which Rye have finished third and second over the last two seasons, the club should be eligible to play in the FA Cup once again.

Rye are among some 940 clubs nationally who have applied to enter one or more of the FA competitions next season. In Rye’s case, they’ve applied for the FA Cup and FA Vase.

The Quarterboys will find out if their application has been successful when the first draws are made later this month. See Friday’s Rye Observer for the full article.