AFTER the euphoria of completing the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League and Cup double, everyone at Thornbury Town were looking forward to receiving confirmation of their promotion to the Toolstation Western League for the 2018-19 season.

However, despite having promotion confirmed, the club have been told that they will be playing Hellenic League football rather than Western League next season.

The Football Association's League Committee, as part of a national restructure of non-league football, have moved Almondsbury UWE and Malmesbury Victoria from the Western League to the Hellenic Division One West.

Thornbury Town have also been moved into this division instead of following the usual route for Bristol area clubs into the Toolstation Western League.

Despite a well-documented and detailed appeal to the FA's Appeals Committee in a hearing at Wembley, the original decision of the League committee was upheld, which means that Thornbury Town and Almondsbury will both be playing in the Hellenic League next season.

Meanwhile, preparations for the new season are already under way and it is hoped that the bulk of last season’s successful side will remain with the club, with pre-season training beginning on this Tuesday coming, June 26, June at the Mundy Fields.

Any potential new players are asked to contact manager Andy Davies beforehand on 07921 160480 or arrive at the Mundys for a 6.30pm start.

Also, reserve team manager James Davies has stepped down and the club are looking for a new man to take on this key role as the club looks to close the gap between the first and reserve teams, while, at the same time, continuing to develop their talented junior players stepping up from Under-18s to senior football.

Anyone interested in taking on this role or learning more about it are asked to contact club secretary Mike Pengelly on 07970 009132 or Malcolm Carr on 07737 163118.