THE South West Peninsula League has issued a statement regarding the results of its ground inspections and it has very serious consequences for both Seaton Town and Sidmouth Town who are in a two-team race to win the Fresha Devon and Exeter league, Premier Division title.

The press release, issued on Wednesday, April 20, reads;

Summary of Ground Grading Recommendations : April 2011.

The following recommendations will be placed before the May board meeting of the South West Peninsula Football League.

It must be stressed however that Promotion can only be confirmed once the board have accepted the grading committee’s findings AND the final league positions of teams in their respective leagues are known.

Only one club per feeder league or division can be promoted and, where two or more are recommended, it is a matter for the league positions to determine who is successful.

Clubs must finish in first or second position in their divisions except where reserve teams occupy a top two position(s) in which case third or fourth can be considered.

Applied from Step 7 to Step 6

Budleigh Salterton : Recommended

Callington Town : Recommended subject to dispensation

Camelford : Recommended subject to dispensation

Newquay : Recommended

Stoke Gabriel : Recommended subject to dispensation

Applied from feeder leagues to Step 7

Brixham United : Recommended

Clyst Valley : Not Recommended

Helston Athletic : Recommended

Newtown : Not Recommended

Seaton Town : Not Recommended

Sidmouth Town : Recommended subject to planning consent

St Dennis : Recommended

St Martins : Not Recommended

Sticker : Recommended subject to planning consent

(NB: In the case of Sidmouth & Sticker evidence of planning applications has been provided but confirmation of them being granted is required before their status can be upgraded to recommended).

Applied from outside the feeder league system

Tiverton Town : Ground is acceptable but acceptance or refusal can only be

Considered by the board when all other matters (as above inc. final

league positions) have been resolved.

The news will be greeted with varying degrees of disappointment and anticipation in both the Seaton and Sidmouth camps.

The Vikings are known to have a small number of tasks to be done and it seems that, if they are completed in time and the side finishes in a top two berth, then they would be able to make the step up in the football pyramid.

The same cannot be said for Seaton Town who are believed to have been rejected owing to their Colyford Road pitch being to small to allow them to step up a level.