Promotion hopes all but over for one Hastings team - but not for another

A decision by FA and league bosses to ‘curtail’ the Isthmian League season has come with a revelation that a rejig of divisions from steps four to six is planned.

Hastings play at step four – in the Isthmian south east – but it is thought unlikely any team will be promoted FROM step four in the shake-up.

United CEO Billy Wood said the FA statement meant the season’s results had not yet been made null and void, but he said it would be wrong to be confident the team could still be promoted to the Isthmian premier.

Instead the club are looking to making a success of next season – while hoping their women’s first XI can still finish their Sussex League premier campaign and win promotion to the London and South East Counties league this year.

Wood told the Observer: “Having played only seven games, you can’t be upset or angry that the season is being curtailed. And in not saying it is null and void, meaning results can still be taken into consideration, they have learned a lesson. But my gut feeling is there won’t be any promotion from step four.

“We have to be prepared to play in the Isthmian south-east again. It’s disappointing but nothing in life comes easy.