TIVIDALE have lodged an appeal with the FA after an extra promotion place was handed to Midland Football League counterparts Ilkeston at their expense.

Officials decided it would be Ilkeston rather than Tividale that would be granted a place in the Midland Football League Premier next season despite both sides finishing second in the two leagues directly below.

A statement from Tivi read: "This appeal is based on the fact that if we had had known at the end of the 2016-17 season, when we were placed in the West Midlands Regional League, that extra promotion places would be considered from Midland Football League Division 1 rather than the WMRL, then we would have obviously challenged that placement and requested to be placed in MFL1.

"There was nothing to suggest that these two feeder leagues to the MFL Premier would be treated differently.

"We are not against the decision to promote Ilkeston FC – we congratulate Ilkeston FC on their promotion. Indeed, we would not accept a promotion place at Ilkeston’s expense, as we have ourselves recent experience of how much upheaval and heartache these appeals can be.

"Our belief is that Ilkeston FC have earned their right to be placed into a Step 5 league, but in this case so have Tividale FC."