Ashford United say they did apply for promotion to the Ryman League after the Football Association confirmed they have no record of any paperwork being received.

The club’s omission from a list of 68 clubs from 14 Step 5 leagues across the country released by the FA earlier this week – following the November 30 deadline – triggered surprise, with United top of the Southern Counties East League, Premier Division.

Seven other clubs – AFC Croydon Athletic, Corinthian, Crowborough Athletic, Hollands & Blair, Sevenoaks Town, Sheppey United and Whitstable Town – are all included.

All paperwork was sent out to clubs in October, outlining the promotion criteria process and requiring detailed financial information and documentation.

United chief executive Denise Peach said: “It was posted on November 28 and included a cheque to cover the £120 application fee.

“The first I knew we had not been included was when a friend of mine told me at the weekend after seeing it on a website.

“I spent Monday and Tuesday trying to contact Matt Edkins (the FA’s National League system officer) and finally received an email from him on Tuesday afternoon saying they had no record of it.

“He is writing to inform us of that and we will then have 14 days to appeal and ask to be included. I informed our manager Danny Lye and he is disappointed.”

Mrs Peach added: “I am devastated because we have been fighting so many battles – trying to do all the right things but finding it hard without an office of our own and having to borrow equipment. It’s been tough for me as well personally due to health issues.”

The news is another blow for United, who missed out on the chance of winning the league last season, having been deducted 10 points due to receivership issues after V Bar, the lending arm of the Minotaur Group of companies, took action last November to recover debts of £260,000 following the installation of the 3G pitch.

The lengthy litigation with Minotaur involving trying to regain ownership of Homelands is continuing, with the next hearing due at the Chancery Division of the High Court late next month.