Sussex football club say they've been demoted - but FA insist: They haven't

Southwick FC tweeted a message to their followers on Wednesday saying they would start next season in the Mid Sussex League after being removed from the Southern Combination League, in which they played last season in division one. They said it was because of past financial issues.

Southwick FC, who play at Old Barn Way and lease their ground from Adur District Council, said on Wednesday: "This afternoon the club have been informed that we have been removed out of the National League system and we have dropped two divisions into the Mid Sussex Football League."

The club added: "This has come as a total shock to the club and everyone at the club is devastated as it is completely out of our hands. We have been founders of the county league since 1920 and we have been removed.

"The players and committee are also very excited for the new project and getting back into NLS. Management and players have all committed to getting this club back to where it should be and we are 100 per cent confident of this happening."

But inquiries by the Worthing Herald on Thursday have led to the SCFL and FA both saying any demotion is not down to them - which leaves the question: Just who has ordered the demotion.

The FA issued a brief comment, saying: "Southwick FC remains a member club of the National League System’s Southern Combination Football League."

Probed further, the FA said it had nothing to add.

SCFL chairman Steve Nealgrove said Southwick's relegation from the league to the Mid Sussex set-up was not down to the league.

He told us: "I have spoken to the FA at length. We are both confused about their (the club's) statement as neither the FA nor the SCFL have any knowledge of this. There is a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday between the FA and the SCFL on this matter."

A Southwick FC spokesman said: "There is confusion surrounding this decision and we are awaiting further information."