"We want to come back harder!" Melton Town vow to secure promotion at next opportunity after season declared null and void

Melton Town have vowed to come back stronger than before after their hopes of promotion were dashed.

Tom Manship’s side sat third in the United Counties League Division One, needing just 15 points from their 12 remaining matches to secure promotion when the FA announced that all football from steps three to seven in the National League System would be declared null and void in a statement on Thursday.

Manship has called the decision ‘unjust’ while Town have added their name to a list of more than 60 clubs who have penned an open letter to the FA asking them to reconsider their decision.

However, Town have promised to channel their frustrations positively.

“It’s still raw. But after talking to the players and understanding they all still want to do the job, we want to come back and go harder next year,” said Manship, who questioned his future at the club last week if the chance of promotion was taken away.

“We want to make sure we get over the line. The lads have got my backing to do that.

“Last week I’d just had a knee operation. I was talking emotionally and I shouldn’t have done that.

“I’ve spoken to people above me at the club and they think the same as the lads. We want to come back harder.”

While Town have high hopes for what the next season could bring, there remains frustration at how this campaign was concluded.

“I think the action was unfair and unjust,” Manship added. “I don’t think they put any consideration into what clubs have put into achieving their goals.

“It’s nine months’ work to get this far, at least. For us we also spent the season before working on this project, so it’s two seasons’ work.

“I honestly didn’t know how they would settle it, but with only a few weeks of the season left I thought points per game would be the fair way. If we’d played less than half a season I’d understand it being made null and void.

Club chairman John Manship was among the 66 signatories of a letter to the FA.

The letter read: “The decision also disregards the millions of pounds invested and countless hours expended collectively by clubs, and so has critical financial implications.

“In writing this joint letter, we recognise that the decision to expunge results for the 2019-20 season still pends official ratification from the FA Council. However, we believe it is unacceptable that such a decision has been handed down to us in this manner. We urgently seek constructive dialogue with the FA with the aim to have the decision re-considered.”

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