HOLLAND FC have had their promotion appeal rejected by the FA.

The coastal club had been hoping to go up from the Essex and Suffolk Border League to the Thurlow Nunn League.

Their original application was turned down because league rules state clubs cannot ground-share.

This is the something the club have to do next year, because of building work at their Eastcliff ground.

The plan is to share with FC Clacton at the Rush Green Bowl.

Holland appealed because they claimed they were ground-sharing out of necessity, rather than simply to gain promotion to step six football.

Chairman Mark Sorrell had a personal hearing at Wembley Stadium at 11am today.

However, after an hour-long meeting, FA officials rejected the appeal, meaning Holland will remain in the Border League.

Sorrell admitted being very disappointed but philosophical and said it will make his club even more determined to win promotion as soon as possible.