CHAIRMAN Peter Lemon believes Droitwich Spa must focus on the future after being denied promotion to Midland Football League Division One.

Spa lost their appeal to the FA and were stripped of their title triumph having been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player in three matches.

Lemon reckons Spa have been “victims of process” but “acknowledge” their own part by failing to suspend the player, understood to be Max Crisp, immediately.

Now Spa have applied to take part in the FA Vase for the first time in their history.

And they will play competitive home matches at Stourport Swifts' Walshes Meadow next term while facilities are upgraded at their King George’s Playing Field headquarters.

“We have thrown our hat into the ring for a place in the FA Vase and if accepted it will be the first time a club from Droitwich will have played in the competition,” said Lemon.

“Plans are still progressing at pace with the development of King George’s Playing Fields and we have taken the difficult decision to play our games at Stourport Swifts next season to allow work to get under way.

“The club have been overwhelmed by the words of support we have received from across the football community and our supporters.

"We must now put this behind us and move on to focus on the season ahead.”

Droitwich thought they had won the Division Two title until two weeks after their last game of the season.

Spa eventually finished third after the league imposed the points penalty on them.

Yet the club were presented with the league’s Division Two Fair Play Award for the second year running.

Spa claimed the referee’s match report for their game against Bloxwich Town when Crisp got sent off was not submitted until weeks later.

Under FA regulations they were then deducted three points by the league for playing Crisp in matches when he should have been suspended.

“The County FA disciplinary hearing found the charge proven but noted the club’s previous impeccable record,” explained Lemon.

“The club received the minimum punishment which was a warning as to future conduct and the player received an additional one-game suspension.

“We contacted the league and were notified no further action would be taken.

“However, two weeks after our last game of the season the club were notified by the league they had reversed their decision.”

Spa have lost left-back Jamie Smith to Worcester City and forward Louis Bridges to Racing Club Warwick.

They have arranged four pre-season friendlies with home warm-up matches at King George’s Playing Fields.

Spa host Malvern Town on Saturday, July 15 (3pm), visit Stourport Swifts on Wednesday, July 19 (7.45pm), entertain FC Stratford on Saturday, July 22 (3pm), and go to Bewdley Town Reserves on Saturday, August 5 (3pm).

Lemon added: “Everyone at the club is committed to making next season as successful as the last which despite the points deduction was the most successful in the club’s history.

“We hope our many loyal supporters will make the journey to Stourport (for our competitive home matches) to cheer on the team while King George’s Playing Fields is being developed.”