Harrogate Railway boss Billy Miller was “gutted” to learn that Wakefield FC will be relegated at the end of the season
Billy Miller admits losing Wakefield FC and potentially Ossett Albion from the Evo Stik Division One North will be a “blow” for Non-League Football in Yorkshire.
Wakefield look set to be heading into the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division next season after failing to find a ground suitable for the NPL by the deadline.
Even though Cammell Laird also appear to be on their way out, bottom-placed Ossett are far from safe as the FA are believed to have stipulated that the basement club will be relegated regardless of events elsewhere.
Ossett would need to propel themselves off-the-bottom to secure safety.
If both Wakey and Ossett leave the NPL this month, it would leave just three Yorkshire clubs in the Division One North before a team is promoted from the NCEL.
Harrogate Railway boss Miller was saddened to learn of Wakefield’s fate and he is hoping a solution can be found.
“I’m absolutely gutted for them,” he said.
“I just hope, fingers crossed, that between now and the end of the season that something materialises.
“I know (Wakefield chairman) Simon Turfrey is working his socks off and I just hope for Paul Lines because he has put a really good side together on a real minimum budget.
“To lose them and possibly lose Ossett Albion, who may still go down, would be a blow. The more clubs in the area, the more people want to watch local football.
“A lot will depend on who comes up. It may well open the door for maybe two to be promoted out of the NCEL. With Brighouse flying high and Tadcaster top of the league if we were to lose Ossett and Wakefield, why not promote Taddy and Brighouse?
“Financially it depends on who comes up. If we lose the two Yorkshire clubs then end up getting two clubs further afield then the problem you have got is two more financial trips for us.
“That’s for everyone involved. It would add to the considerations at the start of the season. You would also have further midweek trips and you only have to look at Burscough coming to us last night.
“We had to go to New Mills in midweek and it was a killer. The hard part is that when your budget is not that big, you can’t afford to get lads out of work early so you have to wait until they finish.”