The Football Conference's application to form a Second Division has been rejected by the Football Association's League Sanctions and Registration Committee who, at a meeting held on Friday 8 January, unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation of the National League System Committee that the Football Conference should not be permitted to form a Second Division. The decision is subject to ratification by the full FA Council on 29 January.

At the official Rushden website we are going to do a feature on past Rushden players, and what they are up to now. We'd be very grateful if you or another K's fan could write an article about Dave Leworthy, including things such as what impact has he made, how the fans react to him etc. It would be great to have something on David as he was very popular in the short time he spent at Nene Park.

If you can help out, please send your views to Adam at Adamisat@aol.com.

Chapple forced to focus on Trophy by Nicholas Harling

THE ground assessors who recently vetoed the suitability of Kingstonian's Kingsmeadow Stadium for Football League requirements, have forced a new set of priorities on manager Geoff Chapple.

Kingstonian's match with Kettering tomorrow in the third round of the FA Trophy has consequently suddenly assumed extra importance.

"There's not much point now in giving the league a go," admitted Chapple. "If I had restructured the side by bringing in a couple of people we might still have been in with a shout. But I didn't want to win the Conference and find ourselves in the position of Kidderminster, Macclesfield and Stevenage who couldn't then go up."

Even though Kingstonian have four matches in hand on Kettering they nevertheless trail the Conference leaders by 18 points. As the title is only a distant prospect, Chapple is looking elsewhere for his season's salvation. "The priority is to stay in the league," he said. As Kingstonian have 36 points, only half a dozen below the safety mark, the manager is only half joking. "You know me," said Chapple, ever the pessimist.

And his other priority? It has to be the Trophy, especially as there is nothing the former Woking manager would like more than to lead out Kingstonian's red and white hoops in another Trophy final at Wembley.

Since Kingstonian have already proved there is life after Gavin Holligan, the forward who joined West Ham for 100,000, the only real problem is their own alarming inconsistency.

Dazzling one week, awful the next, Chapple said he is tempted to tell his players tomorrow to 'go out there, be bloody useless and kick the ball up in the air'. "That way we may play some football," he joked.

Holders Cheltenham, meanwhile, should not be stretched by Ryman First Division visitors Canvey Island but the real tests will come for Yeovil and Rushden & Diamonds. They must put behind them this week's heroic exits from the FA Cup on the grounds of Ryman Premier Division hosts Basingstoke and Slough respectively.

"Progressive football club, currently playing in the Football Conference, seeks person or persons with capital to assist with the growth of the club, both on and off the field.
Please apply in writing to: PO Box 2973, Chelmsford, CM3 5WL"

Some detective work has uncovered the address for the PO Box as being Open Door, PO Box 2973, South Woodham Ferrers, CHELMSFORD. CM3 5WL with some people already suggesting that this is the work of Chris Kelly - the use of the "progressive football club" phrase certainly sounds familiar...