Canterbury City have complained to the Kent FA over their surprise snub by the Molten East Kent Youth League.

City had applied to enter eight teams in the league next season but at Friday’s annual meeting at Chartham, all the applications were rejected by the existing member clubs.

City chairman Tim Clark (pictured) was left mystified by the decision, saying: "We have lodged our concerns with the Kent FA and are aware that over 30 letters of complaint from angry parents have also gone into the Kent FA as well regarding our unsuccessful application.

"The East Kent Youth League is an FA Charter Standard League and we, as an FA Charter Standard Club, are mystified that we should be not considered as suitable to join the league."

City wanted to enter one under-10, two under-11, two under-12, one under-13, one under-14 and one under-15 side as part of their ambitious expansion of the club’s junior section under recently-appointed youth co-ordinator Stuart McCluskey, who outlined the club’s plans at Friday’s meeting.

But when it came to a vote of the clubs, the Canterbury applications were rejected by a majority of 21-13, with six abstentions.

Mr Clark added: "We haven’t been given any reasons why, that’s why we’ve raised the matter with the Kent FA."

Les Barleycorn, chairman of the EKYL, said: "Canterbury City made their initial application, then put their case in front of the clubs at the AGM, who then held a closed ballot at which a majority of the clubs voted against."

"No committee member took part in the vote, it’s solely the clubs’ decision and I have been given no indication as to why they voted the way they did."

Mr Barleycorn confirmed that the league would have had "no problem" in coping with another eight teams and Mr Clark added: "We have now got 100 kids who are being denied the opportunity to play football and their parents are furious."