WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook FC’s future as a Hellenic League club remains uncertain – and it is more than likely they will drop down to the Thames Valley Premier League, writes Dave Wright.

All Step 6 clubs must have floodlights, but the Lowther Road ground doesn’t have any although they are hoping to install them by the end of next season.

In the meantime, the Division One East club need to come up with a ground-sharing agreement, but time is running out with the Hellenic’s chief executive Brian King stating they must confirm a temporary venue before the league’s annual meeting on July 8.

The Sumas revealed they are “in discussions”, but ground-sharing doesn’t come cheap and they would probably prefer to put any money available into redeveloping their Lowther Road facilities.

It is also believed the club have considered playing at Palmer Park Stadium in Wokingham Road, Reading, but again that is costly.

Pitch hire including paying for council staff, referees and assistant referee fees, plus providing food for players, would take the cost to between £300 and £400 per game.

When Highmoor Ibis previously played there they had to have the short pitch temporarily extended down either side by laying strips of artificial grass, while post-match meals for players were at the public house across the road.

Much of these arrangements appear are far from ideal for a homely club like Wokingham.

So, when everything is weighed up, it looks fairly certain the Sumas will spend the 2018-19 season playing in the Thames Valley Premier League, where their reserves recently finished 11th of 14 in the top division.

  • AS part of their re-organisation of leagues for next season, the FA have moved Sandhurst FC from Hellenic Division One East back to Combined Counties Division One.

But the Hellenic may appeal against that switch as the FA have listed Henley Town among the 14 sides in Division One East by mistake, appearing not to realise the club pulled out last year.

There will almost certainly be changes before the league constitutions are confirmed when they hold their respective annual meetings next month.

  • BRACKNELL Town, promoted to the Isthmian League and winners of the Hellenic League Cup, had much to celebrate when they held their annual presentation evening at the Larges Lane club.

Joe Grant won the manager’s player of the year trophy, the players’ player vote went to Jamie McClurg and Seb Bowerman, who was unable to be present on the night, secured the supporters’ vote.

Robins’ golden boot trophy went to Adam Cornell, who scored 38 goals from 49 appearances.

TJ Bohane and Grant both found the net on 31 occasions while Bowerman bagged 28 goals, giving Bracknell four players in the Hellenic Premier Division’s top-10 scorers’ list.

With Bracknell, Thatcham and Highworth all being promoted and Burnham and Woodley United relegated, there will be a new-look to the Hellenic Premier Division next season.

Subject to final confirmation, the 20 clubs due to play in the division are: Abingdon United, Ardley United, Ascot United, Binfield, Bishop’s Cleeve, Brackley Town Saints, Brimscombe & Thrupp, Fairford, Flackwell Heath, Highmoor Ibis, Holmer Green, Longlevens, Lydney, Oxford City Nomads, Royal Wootton Bassett, Shrivenham, Tuffley Rovers, Virginia Water, Wantage and Windsor.