AS an old friend of the Sydenhams Wessex, the last thing John Ward wants to see is clubs being picked off by rival leagues.

So it was out of concern that the former Hants FA chairman urged Wessex officials to fight their corner and ensure the SWL remains a force to be reckoned with at Steps 5 and 6 of the non-League pyramid.

Ward, serving his last year as the HFA’s elected representative to the FA Council, told an SWL secretaries and chairs meeting: “One thing that does concern me is the drift of clubs, in particular clubs in the north of the Wessex area.

“The league has lost two this year – one to the Hellenic League (Pewsey Vale) and one to the Combined Counties League (Fleet Spurs) – and a few others have moved sideways in the past.

“You also had Newbury going out of the league and then not coming back to the Wessex and it was the same with Thatcham Town.

“It’s time for the league to fight its corner. No club should be drifting sideways without the agreement of both leagues involved.”

Ward is particularly worried that a handful of clubs at the Wessex extremities are finding themselves increasingly out on a limb - and thus prime for the picking.

“There are now about eight clubs in the north of the area almost becoming isolated from the rest of the league,” he pointed out.

“I’m very concerned that other leagues will try and exploit that and pick them off. And, before you know it, you (the Wessex League) will find yourselves confined to a 20-mile strip along the south coast.

“I really think it’s time to look at the long-term.

“You (the Wessex League) were fortunate that you managed to get Alton back (from the Combined Counties) because Jim McKell, their chairman, is very keen on the Wessex League.

“But, at this rate, I’m sure you’re going to come under further pressure,” he warned.

“All your clubs comply with the ground grading, whereas in some other leagues they don’t.

“They’ll see it as an opportunity to pick off some ready-made clubs with grading.”

While appreciating Ward’s concern, SWL chairman Ian Hoare believes the Sydenhams set-up has much to recommend it.

“A: We don’t ask for any money from you (the clubs), whereas other leagues do,” he said.

“And B: We have one of the lowest travelling averages in the whole of Step 5/6. Last time it was worked out, it averaged 66 miles a trip which is a lot less than most.

“We’re a damn sight better league than most of them and I often get calls from other league chairmen asking how we do what we do,” Hoare continued.

“We all work hard and we don’t want to lose anyone,” he told the meeting, pledging: “We will fight to keep you.”