SIXTEEN clubs will be competing in the new Hampshire League 2004 this coming season after a dramatic turnaround at a crucial meeting last week, writes Ian Henderson.
A three-man independent FA panel upheld an appeal by the League's organisers against the refusal by the Hampshire FA to sanction the body.
It brought an end to a bitter row which has been simmering for months.
The Hampshire FA's sanctions committee had insisted that there was no place for the new set-up in the restructured football pyramid.
They even went further to state that such a league would continue to bleed local leagues of their best clubs.
The original Hampshire League was formed in 1896, but was wound up at the end of last season as many member clubs had opted to join the expanded Wessex League.
Those who were unwilling or unable to meet the criteria required by the Wessex League had planned to play in the new Hampshire League.
When that was rejected by the HFA, proposals were in hand for an extra division of nine teams to be set up under the auspices of the Southampton League.
A summer of shambles came to an end last Thursday, however, when the FA panel over-ruled the Hampshire FA.
HFA chief executive, Laurence Jones, issued a statement in which he said that the HFA was looking forward to working with the Hampshire League 2004 in a positive manner.
Meanwhile, veteran Hampshire League stalwart Bob Crompton hailed the decision as a victory for common sense.
"It's great news and not only keeps the Hampshire League name alive but will serve as a home that many clubs really want.
"They were otherwise faced with having to drop back into local leagues in their own area."
Now, HL 2004 officials have, under the chairmanship of Geoff Cox, a lot to do in a short space of time to get fixtures up and running for the new competition.
Fixtures secretary Mike Tucker told me: "We put everything on hold, pending the outcome of our appeal.
"Now I need to check which of our member clubs who co-habit with football clubs on public pitches have grounds available and when.
"I'll be surprised if we can get off the ground before the middle of September. But with only 16 teams competing that shouldn't present too much of a problem."
Mr Tucker also confirmed that a cup competition between member clubs is likely to be arranged.
The sixteen competing clubs include five from the former second division of the old Hampshire League and four who will move up from the Southampton League.
North Hants League is 'mothballed'
But while it's good news for the Hampshire League, the new set-up almost certainly means the end of the existing North Hants Senior League.
Its handful of remaining member clubs have opted to play in HL 2004 and the League, which was formed in the late 1960s, will be 'mothballed' for the forseeable future.
"We're hoping that those clubs who won't be able to meet the higher requirements of the Wessex League in a year or two will filter back down the ranks," league chairman John Kirby told me.
The 16 member clubs of HL 2004 are Andover New Street A, Broughton, BTC Southampton, Durley, East Lodge, Fair Oak, L&L Sports, Lyndhurst STJ, M&T Awbridge, Mottisfont, Netley Central Res, Sporting BTC, Stockbridge Res, Upham, Vernham Dean and Winchester City A.
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