Rangers could be reprieved from drop

Stafford Rangers were today looking into the possibility of a sensational reprieve from relegation from the Blue Square North.

Chairman Mike Hughes revealed at an open meeting of shareholders and fans at Marston Road last night that there was an outside chance that Rangers could escape the drop after all.

It's due to the fall out of Rushden & Diamonds, who could yet appeal, being expelled from the Blue Square pyramid.

Subsequent rulings saw Southport reprieved in the Blue Square Premier while Thurrock, by virtue of a better points average than Rangers, also remained in the Blue Square South.

But Bishops Stortford are appealing against the decision to move them from the Blue Square South to the Blue Square North in the reshuffle.

They argue that it could financially ruin the club, as a Hertfordshire-based outfit playing in a northern division.

And if they win their appeal it could mean a reprieve for Rangers and, if they lose, they may resign from the second tier of non-league football together.

Hughes said: "It's all down to Bishops Stortford, personally I think they will lose their appeal and it's then down to them whether they choose to resign from the Blue Square pyramid.

"There are two other options, either the south could run with 23 teams and the north with 21, which is a bit uneven.

"The north teams are saying no, because they would then play 40 games and they would be looking for compensation for a lost home game.

"The south teams would love to have 23 clubs, because that means they would play 44 games and get two extra home matches each.

"The other option is for the FA to rethink the reprieve of Thurrock and reprieve someone from the north, which would be Stafford Rangers, rather than the south.

"That would solve the problem and suit everybody, apart from Thurrock. "

Hughes and Rangers are also expecting a quick decision on their fate, possibly even before the weekend.

Both the Evo-Stik – where, as it stands, Rangers have been relegated to – and the Zamaretto leagues hold their annual general meeting on Saturday, where final calls on the divisions make-up are made.

Rangers will sit and wait but Hughes admits that the club would grab another chance in the Blue Square North with both hands.

He said: "If that happens and we are told we are reprieved, we will stay in the north.

"I have had no contact about it all and, while the appeals are heard, the league won't make any comment on it.

"It's all down to the FA – who knows what they will come up with."