Chatham chairman Jeff Talbot says they still haven’t been told the exact reasons why they have been switched back to Ryman League, Division 1 North after only one season.

The move was confirmed at the league’s annual meeting in Brighton last weekend, despite a last-ditch appeal by club secretary Henry Longhurst.

Mr Talbot (pictured) said: "We are still trying to understand the rationale, which is not clear.

"Clubs have to move, we understand and respect that, but the decisions have to be factually based and transparent and unfortunately that hasn’t happened.

"I’m still in dialogue with Mike Appleby (the FA’s Clubs and League manager) but feel we have got a bad decision which is difficult to swallow."

He added: "It is disappointing not to be in the South and losing the Kent derbies which are the lifeblood to clubs like us.

"We have a lot of good friends at those clubs and were looking forward to facing Faversham, several of our old players and former manager (Clive Walker)."

Mr Talbot also revealed that Chatham are planning to become a limited company, with a new share issue and prospectus to follow.

Chats aim to raise around £70,000 which will fund plans to redevelop Maidstone Road.

He said: "It is a big decision but something that is necessary and I think it will be the way forward for all non-league clubs.

"We are one of the few in the Ryman League at the moment but others will follow."