Salisbury FC relegated from The Football Conference

Video. Salisbury City have been relegated from the Football Conference due to the non-payment of debts. The move follows a month of controversy at the club which has banned it's new owner from the ground, after he failed to come up with the promised investment. Richard Slee reports.

The Football Conference Limited has issued a statement concerning the membership of Salisbury City Football Club Limited. It issued the following statement.

The consequence of today's decision means Dartford FC will be reprieved from relegation to Conference South and will be replaced in the constitution of this Division by Salisbury City.

Salisbury City FC has been relegated one division from the Football Conference to Conference South

Salisbury City FC are facing expulsion from the Conference after the league's board decided to consider relegating them today, despite meeting financial demands placed on them.

On Friday £75,000 was transferred into the club solicitors client account to meet unpaid debts. The Conference board has also been given assurances that in the next seven days, the funds to meet all outstanding club debts will be paid.

However, because of a legal issue in relationship to ownership of the club, the Conference board has decided to throw Salisbury City FC out of the league on Tuesday.

It staggers belief that this is a Conference board which were quite happy, along with the FA, to endorse the appointment of Otail Touzar, but following forensic investigation by the club to expose his financial situation, are now using him as an excuse to throw Salisbury City FC out of the league.

Salisbury City will now consider taking an injunction out on the Conference, or take the case to an FA independent appeal board.

It is disappointing that the Conference have failed to give the club a 7 day extension to clear up their financial irregularities and as a result of their imminent action it leaves Salisbury City FC with no choice but take legal steps.

Salisbury City FC have just updated their website with this statement:

ITV Meridian understands that Salisbury City Football Club has not met the financial conditions laid out by the Football Conference that would enable it to stay in the league.

The club had a deadline of 5pm this afternoon by which it had to repay creditors - or face expulsion.

In the latest update on its website, Salisbury City Football Club says it is in "ongoing discussions" with the Football Conference over the club's future.