Silverhill crowned Sunday football champions

The long-time Division One leaders were declared winners after the league management committee voted seven-to-one on Monday evening to uphold a recommendation made by the disciplinary committee a week previously to veto an appeal from other title contenders Ridge West Garage.

Ridge West, who finished level on points and on goal difference with Silverhill Club but had scored two fewer goals (the usual way, and in fact the procedure stated in the league's rules, is for goals scored to separate teams with an identical goal difference), argued that they should be allowed to play a cancelled game against Oddfellows Arms.

The two teams were due to meet for the first time this season on January 9, but for the only occasion in 30 years, the Odds were unable to raise a side. Ridge West were awarded the three points, but their goal difference remained unaltered.

"We're over the moon," said Silverhill Club secretary Ashley Cartwright. "Without a doubt it was the right decision. The rules state that they (Ridge West) get awarded the three points and they get a 0-0 (for goal difference purposes). Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it works against you, but this year we've benefited from it.

"Over the course of the season, I think we deserved to be champions. We expected to win something (at the start of the season). We thought we had a good squad this year and we've added to it through the season. There were three or four teams that were in with a good shout and anyone of us could have done it."

Ridge West manager Jamie Podmore said: "We're obviously disappointed. We want to congratulate Silverhill Club, but we've played 13 games and we're not being given the opportunity to play the 14th. I know Odds didn't do it deliberately, but we're being penalised because the Odds couldn't raise a side.

"We're not going to take it any further (any appeal to the Sussex County Football Association may take up to 42 days to resolve), but they need to look at what's happened and make sure it doesn't happen again because it's clearly not fair. If we had played Silverhill Club in our last game and needed to win 3-0 to win the title, they could have turned round and said 'we can't raise a side' and won the title."

Honorary League secretary Robin Powell, who voted against the disciplinary committee's recommendation, commented: "The reasons for the decision were that the league was found to be acting within their rules, within their constitution and they had been consistent. If you look at other unfulfilled fixtures, the league has applied a 30 fine, three points and a 0-0 scoreline."