11:24am Wednesday 2nd July 2008
By Keith Fairbank
INCREDIBLY, Gwent County League champions Newport Civil Service have launched a second appeal against the Welsh League's decision to refuse them promotion.
That means league runners-up Chepstow Town face another wait in limbo before learning whether they can pip Civil to the sole spot in Welsh League Division Three.
Town's chairman Bill Davies told the Free Press' yesterday: "I know they had until Monday to appeal again, but until you called up we had been told nothing. I can't believe they would want to appeal again.
"This will cost them another £400 and they can appeal two more times after this we believe. Only the next one costs £1,000 - so someone must be throwing some money at this."
The three-month-long saga has its roots from over a year ago when Civil were crowned 2007 league champions but were refused promotion for failing to meet the league's stringent ground regulations. Monmouth Town were the beneficiaries then - but in 2008 Civil seem determined not to miss out again.
The club were refused promotion this year based on three criteria failures - the standards of the referees' changing room, the distance from changing rooms to pitch and the flooring of their newly constructed container-cum-grandstand. After having their initial appeal to the Welsh League turned down their case is now going to the Welsh FA.
A spokeswoman for Newport Civil Service confirmed: "We have taken the option to appeal again. The last one didn't take too long so we expect about the same length of time again - though obviously we hope for a different result."
Nevertheless it could be August before Chepstow learn their fate as should Civil fail again, Town still have to have their own ground approved.
Davies added: ""They've had a year and yet they've done nothing.
"The waiting beggars belief. I'll have a lot to say if in the end we don't go up."
Co-manager Ian Davies, meanwhile, insisted that training would start for both the senior XI and the under-18s at Larkfield from 7pm tomorrow. Old and new players are most welcome, with sessions held every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter.
A series of friendlies has also been scheduled starting at home to Thornbury Town on Saturday, July 19 (kick-off 3pm) - even though the club still has no idea what level they will be playing at this autumn.
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