Ryman League threatened with oblivion

Prepartions for the new non-League season have been overshadowed by a row over restructuring of the semi-professional game which threatens the future of the Ryman League.

Prepartions for the new non-League season have been overshadowed by a row over restructuring of the semi-professional game which threatens the future of the Ryman League.

The Ryman, under its original name the Isthmian League, was founded in 1905, but now it is threatened with something approaching oblivion before it celebrates its centenary.

Last month, without consultation with the Ryman, the Nationwide Conference announced that, from the 2002-03 season, only the Dr Martens (Southern) and the UniBond (Northern Premier) Leagues will be recognised as feeder leagues to the Conference.

According to the Conference, the switch from three to two feeder leagues is the only way to increase promotion places from three to four. The south-east based Ryman, described as "a parochial league" by Ken Marsden, the chairman of the UniBond, faces losing big clubs like Sutton United, Aldershot Town and St Albans City to the Dr Martens.

The new Conference season kicks off tomorrow. The highlight of the opening-day programme is relegated Chester City's visit to Rushden & Diamonds, who broke the non-League transfer record this summer by paying £180,000 for the Morecambe striker Justin Jackson.