Guernsey FC say they will consider appealing a decision to strip them of home advantage for their Southern Combination Premier Division play-off final.
The Green Lions, who finished the season in third place, were due to host fifth-placed Peacehaven and Telscombe on Sunday 10 May for a place in the eighth tier of English football.
But the game coincides with Guernsey’s annual Liberation Day celebrations which has led to difficulties arranging travel to the island for their opponents due to busy flight schedules.
The fixture is now set to be played on the English mainland on either Tuesday 12 or Wednesday 13 May.
“The right to home advantage was earned on merit through a third-place league finish and victory in our semi-final,” Guernsey FC said in a statement.
“The removal of the opportunity to host what would have been a major occasion, in front of a large crowd, undermines the integrity of the competition and is a position the club does not accept.
“Our primary concern is for the substantial number of supporters from both clubs who have already made travel and accommodation arrangements in good faith, committing significant financial resources based on the original confirmation.
“The club is extremely disappointed by this situation, fully recognises the impact this late and unexpected decision will have, and is deeply concerned that this does not appear to have been given due consideration by the league.”
The game cannot be played on the following weekend as Guernsey’s representative side travel to face Jersey in the Muratti Vase final at Springfield on Saturday 16 May.
Guernsey reached the final after a 3-0 win over Horsham YM in their semi-final last Saturday.
It is the second successive year a Channel Island side has seen their play-off game postponed.
Jersey Bulls had to wait until 28 May last year to play their Combined Counties League play-off final after delays caused after they and fellow high-fliers Redhill were both deducted points for playing ineligible players.
“The league has cited complex travel arrangements as justification,” Guernsey FC stated.
“However, this position was reached without affording the club the opportunity to address or mitigate those concerns.
“The club had already begun engaging with Peacehaven and Telescombe to facilitate their travel, including accommodating a request to travel the day before the fixture and offering to cover the cost of a coach transfer to the airport, thereby removing logistical challenges and additional expense.”
Guernsey FC added: “This morning, we were informed that our proposed travel arrangements had been considered by Peacehaven and Telescombe, who were unable to agree to the proposal on a number of grounds.
“This raises further concern that Peacehaven have effectively been given discretion over whether the fixture is played in Guernsey, rather than the league enforcing the fixture at the venue earned on sporting merit and under the competition regulations.”
