Gloucester go North?

GLOUCESTER CITY are appealing to the Football Association not to place the club in the Blue Square Conference North.

With the prospect of arduous journeys to Blyth Spartans and Workington the Tigers say missing out on a place in the Blue Square South would place undue pressures on the team who already cope without a home ground.

Gloucester City chairman David Phillips said he feared players could leave the club rather than face the strenuous travelling.

He said: "All week I have been lobbying the FA about the leagues.

"Four or five years ago they tried to sort it out but already its is starting to fail. How long before the north/south divide becomes the M4?

"A lot of our players and the manager are from Bristol. It would make life very difficult for us. We are a resilient lot and we would find an answer but if the FA wants to kick us in the teeth when we are already recovering they are going about it the right way."

Part of the problem arises from the fact Worcester City were placed in the Conference South last year.

Worcester, who are geographically north of both Gloucester and the Tigers' adopted home ground in Cirencester, were given assurances they will remain in the same league for at least three seasons.

This means displacing other teams, potentially including Gloucester.

It could mean the team facing trips to Northumberland to face Blyth Spartans, increasing travelling costs.

Tigers manager Dave Mehew said he was hoping the team would end up in the Conference South.

He said: "If common sense prevails they will put us in the south because that is where we are.

"I was under the impression we would just be chucked in the north. At least they are having a think about it.

"We are not a big budget team by any stretch of the imagination and we hope that will come into the decision. No one wants us to be in the north."

The FA's National League Systems Committee met at Soho Square on Thursday to discuss league placings.

The final decision on where Gloucester will play will be made on May 26.

Gloucester MP Parmjit Dhanda said he would fight any plans to put the Tigers in the Conference North.

He said "If it is the case I will talk to the FA and go straight to Lord David Triesman. It would be illogical and ridiculous to put Gloucester in the Conference North."

A spokesperson for the FA said no decision had yet been made on the league placings but an announcement was expected early next week.

She said: "There are a few decisions to be resolved."