FOUR clubs who appealed to the FA in a bid to move laterally into the Hellenic League have had their bids rejected.

Herefordshire's Westfields, Wellington, Hereford Lads Club and Pegasus Juniors sent representatives to Wembley this week to put their cases forward to the appeals panel.

All four clubs received the news on Thursday that their appeals had been rejected as three of the four missed the March 31 deadline.

Westfields will play in the Midland League Premier again next season while the other three continue in the West Midlands League Premier.

Lads Club have appealed for the last three seasons to be moved into the Hellenic League.

“To say I’m disappointed is an understatement,” said their manager Danny Moon.

“We will be giving a response back as there is no thought for the smaller leagues and clubs.

"There is no care or consideration to travel time, the FA just open a map up and stick a line on it without giving a thought to the logistics and reality of the routes and how long it takes us to get to the M5.

“There is not enough realism within the FA or common sense and they need to get out of their ivory towers and see the reality.”

Moon said his side played 11 midweek away matches last season which saw players struggling to leave work early to make kick-off and not returning home until 1am on occasions.

Westfields chief executive Andy Morris said: "Our FA appeal for lateral movement to the Hellenic League was dismissed. Midland League it will be so let’s go and win it.

"We have the right personnel on and off the pitch so let’s try and win the best league at step five."