Brighton Deserves Better Treatment

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31627, 13 March 1968, Page 13

Brighton Deserves Better Treatment

TF New Brighton had been required to furnish fresh evidence to support its already strong claims for inclusion in the first division of the Southern League soccer competition, the club certainly provided it in the opening matches of this season’s Rangers floodlight tournament.

Although Brighton was beaten, 4-1, by last season’s champion club, Christchurch City, the result was a travesty of justice. A 4-3 win to City, even a 44 draw, would have been a fairer reflection of the play. Brighton’s officials have argued, vehemently, that on the basis of the club’s record last season—runner-up in both the Hurley Shield and the local Chatham Cup competition—it should have been given first division status.

On the other hand, it has been argued that due to losses of key players, Brighton’s last-season strength could not be put forward as a case because the Southern

League committee had needed to judge clubs on present strength when confronted with an entry of 18 clubs. Brighton continued to argue that in spite of its loss of players, the club's reserve strength was still great enough for it to hold its own with the other senior clubs in Canterbury. While Brighton was able only to put its case in words, it gained a sympathetic hearing. Now it has shown on the field of play the true strength of its argument, there are very few prepared to say that the Southern League committee was right to “relegate” Brighton to the second division.

There has never been any doubt that Brighton on last season’s record, had far superior claims to Southern League first division status than Western, Rangers and Shamrock. And its performance against City has heightened these claims. It is difficult now to see what the Southern League

committee can do to rectify the matter. To bring Brighton up, some dub, and it would have to be a Canterbury team, would need to go down. This would cause considerable heart-burning. Yet, Brighton otherwise must go on suffering an injustice.

The Southern League committee has got itself, undoubtedly with the best intentions, in a most difficult position. It has made a decision; it has refused to change the composition of the divisions. Brighton has said that it will withdraw from the competition unless it is put into the first division. A deadlock has been reached.

Brighton has a case, as everyone admits. It has been put forward many times. The Southern League committee has taken a stand, and is reluctant at this late stage to back down. Perhaps the matter can only be resolved if given to an independent body to make a decision.