Ryhope's loss could be Town's gain but should the rules be changed?

NEWS has come in that Ryhope CW has failed their recent ground inspection. Although it has not yet been decided if they will be given more time to reach the required standard, it is now looking increasingly likely that the team finishing 4th in Ebac Northern League Division Two this season will be promoted.

Of course the whole situation has made a mockery of the league. If their ground was not up to the required standard for the league then why were they admitted in the first place?

Everyone knew the criteria. Before Ryhope even applied for promotion from the Wearside League they should have been made to bring their ground up to standard. Or least had the infrastructure in place to get the work completed before the season started. If they were not able to do so then they should not have been elected into the league. Simple.

That is the way it is in other leagues. Spennymoor, for example, will not be granted promotion to the Evo-Stick League North if their ground does not reach the minimum requirement for that league. And that is how it should be.

Of course you cannot blame Ryhope for any of this. They have done nothing wrong. They have abided by the rules in place and on the pitch they have been a great addition to the league. The fault, for me, lies in the rules.

I have been told that Ryhope will be kicked out of Ebac Northern League completely if their ground is not up to standard in time which means this season will have been a farce. Will their results be expunged from the records? And if so what effect will that have on the league table?

I actually feel sorry for the players, management and supporters. Nine months of blood, sweat and tears for nothing. Heart-breaking. But it is heartbreak that could have been avoided.

The FA and Northern League need to, in my opinion, change the rules. They should not continue to give clubs a year to get their ground up to scratch. Things need to be in place before entry into the league is granted. But I doubt anything will change regardless of the outcome of the Ryhope case.

Of course Northallerton could come out of this quite well. 4th place is well within reach and after all the upheaval at the club in recent weeks, that would be a great way to finish the season.

This of course sets up nicely Town's trip to Ryhope on Saturday. It is a shame Peter Mulcaster's side will be missing 4-5 key players for such a big game but they should still have enough quality to make it another thrilling encounter.

The two games between the sides so far this season have both ended 2-2 at 90 minutes and I wouldn't be surprised if this one also finishes in a draw.

For all the off-field shenanigans, I have to say Ryhope has been one of the best sides I have seen this season. In Chris Winn they have a contender for player of the year while strike partner Jon Butler has scored 44 goals in all competitions. They have pace in wide areas and strength in midfield.

So on the pitch there is no doubt Ryhope deserve promotion, but unfortunately there is more to it than that. Certain standards off the pitch have to be met as well. Those are the harsh realities of football at this level.

But if their loss is to be Town's gain then they really need to keep their recent momentum going. With ten league games to play, Mulcaster's side need to take as many points as they can to be in with a chance of pipping Morpeth, North Shields, Seaham Red Star and Darlington RA for that covered 4th position, starting with the trip to Ryhope this weekend.