"Best possible outcome," says Flowserve boss
Promotion to the East Midlands Counties League has been confirmed for Newark Flowserve Football Club after the FA published its proposed league constitution for step-six football.
Flowserve finished the Notts Senior League Premier Division as champions, winning 31 of 34 games.
After passing a ground grading at the start of April, Flowserve had been waiting to see which league they would be playing in after a planned restructuring of the football pyramid.
They can look forward to matches against the likes of Rainworth Miners’ Welfare and Arnold Town.
Joint-manager Craig Roche said: “We are very happy. For us it is the best possible outcome.
“It is a very competitive league and there will be quite a few local matches. Travel-wise, it is the best — a few of our players are based in Nottingham, so it is a good decision for us.
“Looking at the fixtures, Rainworth is always a good place to visit — they have just (voluntarily) come down from the Northern Counties East League, so it should be a challenge.
Pre-season friendlies against Ollerton Town and Sleaford Town have been arranged, and Roche said Flowserve’s initial target would be to remain in the league.
“The chairman wants us to consolidate and stay safe in the league.
“That is ultimately the same target as the management’s target — to maintain our level.
“But we are ambitious and we want to do as well as we can.”
Ollerton Town will not be one of their league opponents, despite rumours they could be making a move from Northern Counties East League (NCEL) Division One
A statement on the club’s website said: “Since our promotion in 2016, the club had two very enjoyable seasons in the NCEL, a fantastically-run league with some very strong teams.
“We welcome (the restructuring) news. We look forward to building on last season’s 15th place.”
Radcliffe Olympic’s relegation from the East Midlands Counties League was confirmed after they finished bottom.
Olympic will move into either the Notts Senior League Premier Division or Central Midlands League South.
The proposed constitution for step-seven football should be announced in the next week, with Newark Town and Collingham among the other sides awaiting their fate.
