DORCHESTER Sports’ boss Ashley James believes his side is “in the strongest position” in the club’s history to achieve promotion to Step 6.

Confusion arose after the Wessex League newsletter named Sports as one of 22 clubs whose application for promotion “did not meet the minimum criteria”.

However, James’ men have received assurances from the FA that their application from last season remains intact.

Avenue Stadium-based Sports are one of three Dorset clubs seeking promotion, along with Gillingham Town and reigning DPL champions Hamworthy Recreation.

Their fate will be decided in the coming months by the FA following the anticipated restructuring of leagues in Steps 4 to 6.

Sports currently play in the Dorset Premier League (DPL) at Step 7, from which promotion is not automatically given.

James said: “Last year we applied to go up, but with the null and void there were no promotions or relegations.

“We then got an email saying all applications will still be valid for this year, and we’d been accepted last year to go up.

“We would’ve had to have finished in the top five and it would’ve only been us and Gillingham last year. Ham Rec might just have got their ground grading in time, I’m not sure.

“Nothing’s really changed and now this season’s been curtailed.

“The last I’ve heard from the FA promotions is that our three applications are still valid. The decision now is purely down to the FA.

“I believe they’re reshuffling some of the leagues at steps higher than us, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Asked what promotion would mean to Sports, James said: “We’re in the strongest position we’ve ever been in.

“Where we play, the squad, the coaching setup we’ve got, the reserves are doing really well in the league below.

“This is the best position we’ve been in, if we were to get (promotion).

“Every time we’ve been offered the opportunity to go up or play at a better stadium, we’ve always taken that risk.

“We’ve always pushed ourselves to play as high as we can, play on the best pitches we can and sign the best players we can.

“We’ve never backed down but if we have to play in the DPL next year, the lads will be willing to do it again.

“It’s down to the FA now. Either way, we’ll be happy to get a full season in whether that’s in the DPL or the league above.”

Clearing up the uncertainty surrounding the newsletter, James added: “The Wessex League printed that because a list came out two weeks ago with a list of applicants on the promotion list.

“We weren’t on it because we didn’t need ground grading. We were on another list that didn’t get published.

“The list that went out was for clubs who needed their ground gradings to be checked.

“Where we play at Dorchester Town, ours has been checked and signed off already. That’s where the confusion is.

“I have emailed the FA and they tell us we are on a list to hopefully get promotion.

“I think they want to add another league at Step 5, somewhere in the Midlands, and that might shuffle around the feeder leagues.”