Pitchero Non League

Graham Kemp

Chairman Mark Duffy confirmed Priory would not be submitting an application for consideration for promotion to the Southern League ahead of the December 31st deadline – as the club did not have the cash to make the leap.

Duffy admits the Premier Division title-chasers are “nowhere near” having the financial muscle to compete at step four level.

Boss Graham Kemp has guided the club into the Wessex top four and the promotion picture. But even if Priory were to defy the odds and take top spot, the possibility of moving up the non-League ladder will remain on hold.

Duffy, chairman for the past six months following a stint in the club’s youth set-up, says Christchurch would love to test themselves at a higher level, but insists they will not break the bank to achieve that aim.

When asked whether the club would consider a promotion application, Duffy replied: “No – we don’t have the finances. We don’t have the financial capability to move to the next level.

“What we don’t want to do is end up going for something and then, as clubs have found in the past, money comes and money goes. We have never had money, we play within our means, we get through the season just about every year in terms of finances, we don’t owe anything and we are trying to develop the changing rooms.

“But we don’t have any monies that could allow us to move to the next level and Graham understands that.

“We would have to develop the squad and possibly look at changing the way we ran the team and club as a whole, and we are nowhere near there at this moment in time.

“Everybody desires to want to play at a higher level and pit themselves against better teams.

“We have shown we are capable of matching these teams, albeit not over a season but over odd games and one-off games. We have done well against the likes of Gosport Borough, AFC Totton and Wimborne Town and have had many battles with Poole Town over the years.

“But, fundamentally, we are just not in a position where we can actually go forward and play at a higher level at this point in time. But we would love to.”

Tags: News | Christchurch

• Sydenham's Football League
• Division 1
  • + Stacey Takes Charge at Ringwood
• Premier Division
  • + Barker Handed Romsey Helm
• Division 1
  • + New Trio for Whitchurch
• Premier Division
  • + Brading Withdraw from Wessex League
• Division 1
  • + Saunders Raring To Go At Petersfield
• Premier Division
  • + Feeney Boost for Totton & Eling
• • + Curtis Believes He Can Build Strong Side
• Premier Division
  • + New Boss Curtis Gets Busy
  • + Burnett Goes Back as Joint Boss
  • + `Batman & Robin` Re-Sign for GE Hamble
  • + Priory Go For Newman
  • + Plenty of New Faces at Gang Warily
  • + Gibbens Ends Sholing Love Affair
  • + Horndean Complete Two New Signings
• Division 1
  • + Plenty of New Arrivals at Petersfield
• • + `Wessex` Stays in League Title
• Premier Division
  • + Verwood Bring in Darnton
  • + Planemakers Add More New Faces
• Division 1
  • + Trio of New Signings for Tadley
  • + Lockey Steps Down