I never realised Oxfords ground was only 3 sided (very odd)

Could marine sue the FA for not allowing them their rightful place in the Conference way back in 1995 (I think it was then) and claim for all money lost ? because Oxford have bee allowed in ?

If Marine were in the Conference North last season and won promotion would they have been allowed up ? .. I doubt it.

what the hell does "at their discretion" mean when Moules the t*sser explains why Oxford are allowed in ? Would it be because they have a good fan base, are full time and are ex league ?

Discretion must mean "if they are liked"

Similair with Barnet and their ground, play by the rules and they could have been kicked out the league never mind been allowed in the conference.

I'm afraid part time teams WILL NEVER get a fair deal in the Conference National.

as Geoff said surely "Rules are rules ? " No matter who you are.

Can anyone have any real faith in the Conference Board. I doubt it .. Well maybe FGR can as they are 'the protected'

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The FA can F Off !

Quoted from the official website..."the club was required to drop its other grounds for appeal because the FA ruled them out of order."

The FA kept that one quiet in their statement.

"B*****ks!" springs to mind!

sorry gary but i have to disagree. Altrincham have been treated badly by the conference and FA that we all know.
Oxford on the other hand do have a three sided ground, however the conference HAS to take relegated league 2 clubs, no matter what standard of ground the team holds (Barnet etc), however Oxford will not be able to get promoted unless improvements are made to their ground. Marine on the other hand had a ground that didnt meet conference criteria. It may sound as another case of 'rules are rules' but until an impartial pannel can run the conference national all these problems will still occur.

Can we all move on from this sorry saga and concentrate on getting alty promoted (again) and leave the interpretation of rules up to Mr peake at FGR?

But certainly will never forget. One thing Alty fans are good at is remembering (just ask Nicky wood )

All I can say is clubs should be careful who they kick on the way up (or staying up) as they never know if they may need us when their on the way down in the future.

The whole affair has left a very sour taste in my mouth and I for one will certainly not forget how clubs, the league and the so called association have treated us, thats DOES include the amazing amount of clubs and fans who have supported us and i will certainly show my grattude towards them if our paths cross in the future but will have opposite feelings to other clubs.

Works both ways I'm afraid.

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THE FA CAN F OFF

And won there on more than a few (they twice claimed their worst performance in 30 years after losing to us!!) Oxford's ground may well only have three sides, but it is certainly up to League and Conference standard.

The three they have has a capacity of 12,000!!

It is very amusing to see a missed shot bouncing off cars in the car park though!

Scarborough have been told, when asked which rules they have broken, that membership of the Conference is by invitation.

3 sided grounds are a strange rule but, unlike player registrations, one that allows some interpretation.

Scarborough's new ground will be 3 sided except for a few steps of terracing at one end to get round this rule. If promotion to the league happens again then a new stand could be built with the increased Football Trust funding that would follow.

I take it then that buy now Northwich have some terracing at each end.