HAMPSHIRE League 2004 are to appeal against the Hampshire FA hammer blow which would effectively kill off county football.

The HFA Council last Saturday ratified its Rules Revision and Sanction Committee's recommendation that the proposed new league should not be sanctioned as it would be of no benefit to the development of grassroots football.

But the determined message from the Hampshire League 2004 campaigners is that the fight will go on to keep county football alive.

Ron Chandler, chairman of Hampshire League 2004, confirmed: "We are going to appeal.

"We've asked all the clubs to write to our secretary Guy Bennett and then it will be passed on to the FA.

"Time is short and we're hoping that, as it's so close to the start of the new season, they will make a decision fairly promptly."

With all bar four members of the now defunct Hampshire League shifting over to the Wessex ranks next season, Hampshire League 2004 was meant to provide a refuge for those clubs still keen on playing county-standard football but who are unable to meet Wessex ground-grading requirements.

Without it, Mottisfont, M&T Awbridge, Broughton and Chandler's own club, East Lodge of Portsmouth, would be forced to take a backward step into local association football or fold altogether.

Other clubs, who have made the switch into the Wessex League Division 3, could find themselves out on their ears again in two years' time if they can't upgrade their facilities.

Chandler said: "Take Colden Common, for example. If they don't meet the Wessex ground grading, where are they going to go?

"It's looking like local football Southampton League at the moment, which is why we're trying to do something to help these clubs.

"I don't know whether we'll be successful but I do know quite a few clubs and players don't want local football.

"No disrespect to the local leagues but, at East Lodge, 75 per cent of the players aren't interested in playing local football, which means they may disband and look for other clubs.

"We're lucky we've got a good youth set-up, but we could well lose the senior side."

If the new league does not get off the ground, the £5,000 grant allocated to it by the old Hampshire League will be repaid to the clubs.

In addition, all the office equipment will have to be returned to the trustees of the HFL and either redistributed for football purposes or sold.