KENT League chair Denise Richmond has confirmed the league will oppose FA proposals that could see three clubs promoted at the end of this season.

Under the FA’s second phase of restructuring non-league football, the number of divisions at the level immediately above the Kent League would increase from four to six.

The shortfall would be made up from clubs who play at the same level as the Kent League, presenting the opportunity for up to three clubs from the county to gain promotion.

Ms Richmond said: "As much as we want clubs to progress it is boosting the leagues above us and might not necessarily be for the good of football. But if we take a stance then we are accused of trying to hold clubs back.

"If you look at some clubs they will be no further forward than they were three years ago. It’s quite serious and the FA wants it but it still needs to go through the consultation process."

Ms Richmond also stressed that the proposals only indicate up to three clubs going up and does not guarantee three promotion places in the Kent League this season.

She said: "The paper says up to three in total so it may be misleading for clubs to think that it will definitely be the top three who go up."

The Kent League will present their response to the proposals to the FA at the end of this month.

"We would protest and I think there is potential in the idea of merging the Kent League with the Essex League," said Ms Richmond.

"Our clubs have indicated that they support the idea but the Essex League want the FA to facilitate the move rather than have talks with us.

"There is potential in the merger but then there is also potential that clubs like Faversham, Lewisham Borough and Cray Valley could come up to the Kent League in the near future."

At the league’s AGM, Erith & Belvedere were formally accepted into the Premier Division while Essex side Tilbury had a reserve team voted into Division 2.

Hastings and Danson Furness resigned from Division 1 and Welling resigned from Division 2.

Fred Altree resigned as league fixture secretary and was replaced by Matthew Panting.

The league also announced that KOS Media have agreed to become their new sponsors, replacing Go Travel.

Constitution 2005/06

Premier Division: Beckenham Town, Deal Town, Erith & Belvedere, Erith Town, Greenwich Borough, Herne Bay, Hythe Town, Lordswood, Maidstone Utd, Sevenoaks Town, Slade Green, Sporting Bengal Utd, Thamesmead Town, Tunbridge Wells, VCD Athletic, Whitstable Town.

Division 1: Ashford Town Res, Bromley Res, Cray Wanderers Res, Deal Town Res, Dartford Res, Erith & Belvedere Res, Erith Town Res, Herne Bay Res, Maidstone Utd Res, Ramsgate Res, Thamesmead Town Res, Whitstable Town Res.

Division 2: Beckenham Town Res, Chatham Town Res, Folkestone Inv Res, Hythe Town Res, Lordswood Res, Sevenoaks Town Res, Sittingbourne Res, Slade Green Res, Tilbury Res, Tunbridge Wells Res, VCD Athletic Res.