Hollands & Blair had their appeal against promotion rejected by the Football Association last Thursday at Wembley.

Paul Piggott led the side to the Kent Invicta League title but they were denied promotion after missing the deadline for installing floodlights.

Piggott was left “disgusted” at the FA but vowed to bounce back and win the title again next season.

He said: “We had three club officials attend the hearing, all taking a day off work. A long time had been spent preparing a portfolio to explain our side of things.

“But the FA didn’t even want to look at it. It was an absolute waste of time and it’s scandalous. I feel disgusted with the FA.

“But I am going to carry on and what the FA have done is give us even more determination to go and be successful and get to the next level.

“That’s the one thing they have given us – they’ve given us nothing else.”

Piggott’s big fear was the break up of his squad following their barring from the South East Counties League. But, so far, only Louis Valencia has left, joining Phoenix Sports in the league above.

Blair have signed former Woodstock and Phoenix player Frazer Rodgers and Piggott is talking to others.