SHRIVENHAM manager Alan Dyton was left stunned after the club's promotion bid was snubbed by the Hellenic League.

The Division One West side finished third this season and with the top two not under consideration for promotion to the Premier Division, Shrivenham were expected to make the step up.

But red tape has blocked their path as league bigwigs ignored the club's pleas at the Hellenic AGM and opted to elevate Witney and Ardley who finished fourth and fifth respectively instead.

Shrivenham's bid failed as they were unable to produce a letter from the borough council confirming that they would sanction an application for floodlights.

This document was pending but the club were unable to obtain it before the league's deadline.

Frustrated Dyton will now be meeting with the club's board to discuss the situation and his own future at the helm.

He said: "I am extremely disappointed that clubs finishing below us have been promoted ahead of us especially after all the hard work our club has put in and how close we are to satisfying the league criteria.

"I will be talking to the club in the very near future to understand how this happened and how it will affect Shrivenham FC."

Club chairman Ian Richardson was more philosophical and has ruled out any prospect of contesting the verdict.

"The league have made their decision so I don't see any point in appealing," he said.

"Naturally I'm disappointed but it may be for the best.

"We've come a long way under Alan in his first season and perhaps it would have been too soon for us."

Champions Purton were not considered for promotion to the Premier after failing to obtain permission to install floodlights from the parish council.

Runners-up Ross were also out of the frame.

While the news proved a hammer blow to the ambitious Dyton, his namesake Alan Clark was pleasantly surprised.

Clark moved from Purton to become manager of Witney earlier this week and he has now achieved promotion without lifting a finger.

"It's great news," said Clark. "We're in the Premier Division without doing anything. It's a big step forward. It will be a challenge and one we're looking forward to.

"From Witney's point of view it's where we need to be and from my point of view it's where I want to be.

"You've got to feel sorry for Shrivenham though."

Purton and Shrivenham will be joined in Division One West by Wilts League champions Trowbridge who were formally confirmed as newcomers to the league.

Highworth and Wootton Bassett remain in the Premier Division.

HELLENIC LEAGUE CONSTITUTION 2004/05

Premier Division: Abingdon United; Almondsbury Tn; Ardley United; Bicester Town; Bishops Cleeve; Carterton Town; Chipping Norton Tn; Didcot Town; Fairford Town; Henley Town; Highworth Town; Hungerford Town; Milton United; North Leigh; Pegasus Juniors; Pewsey Vale FC; Shortwood Utd; Slimbridge; Tuffley Rovers; Wantage Town; Witney United; Wootton Bassett Tn

Division One West: Adderbury Park; Cheltenham Saras; Cirencester Utd; Clanfield; Easington Sports; Harrow Hill; Headington Amat's; Hook Norton; Kidlington; Malmesbury Vics; Middle Barton; Purton; Quarry Nomads; Ross Town; Shrivenham; Trowbridge Town; Tytherington Rocks; Winterbourne United

Division One East: Badshot Lea; Banbury Utd Res; Binfield; Bisley Sports; Chalfont Wasps; Chinnor; Englefield Green Rovers; Eton Wick; Finchampstead; Holyport; Hounslow Borough; Kintbury Rangers; Letcombe; Old Woodstock Tn; Penn & Tylers Green; Prestwood; Rayners Lane; Wokingham & Emmb'.