Crawley Town managing director Steve Duly has blasted Football League clubs, including the Albion.

They were criticised for voting against a two up-two down system between the Third Division and non-league football.

The Nationwide League clubs voted against a Conference proposal to see two promotion spots granted.

Now the Conference is threatening to only allow one promotion place into its divison starting from the end of next season.

That could prove to be a serious setback for Crawley if they were to win the Dr Martens League Premier Division championship.

All clubs, except Wycombe Wanderers, snubbed the promotion and relegation plan and Duly is at a loss why. He said: "It's like this is my ball and I'm keeping it. It is totally unfair and could damage the pyramid system.

"I am hoping the Conference threat will be listened to by the League clubs. We would be gutted if we were to win the title and not get promoted because of politics off the field.

"The League think they are an exclusive club and think of the Conference as some little minor league. The standard between Conference and Third Division is almost the same. That's why Conference teams usually beat Third Division sides - and even Second Division sides in the FA Cup.

"The League could damage the whole future of non-league football because of their greed. Perhaps the Premiership should operate a one-up one-down. What would the League think about that?"

Former Exeter marksman Warren Waugh, as revealed in the Sports Argus last Friday, has this week officially signed for the club.

Ex-Palace and Wales defender Ian Evans, who is on Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland coaching staff, will be putting the players through their paces in pre-season.

Meanwhile, Alan Walsh is looking to take Eastbourne Town back into Division One of the County League at the first attempt.

Former Shinewater boss Walsh is the other half of Town's new management team which was announced last week.

Dave Winterton, the former Crawley goalkeeper and Hailsham player-manager, has replaced Pete Cherry in the hotseat at the Saffrons following last season's relegation.

But Walsh, who returns to football after a three year break, will work alongside Winterton. Walsh said: "We have known each other for years. Dave was interested in the job and he knew I had gone for it as well.

"He could not commit himself to do it 100 per cent. Roger (Addems, Town chairman) put two and two together and asked the two of us to do it together."

Walsh spent seven seasons at Shinewater. He helped the club into senior football and. In their first season in Division Two they narrowly missed on promotion and also reached the divisional cup final.

Walsh's son Lee was top goalscorer at Eastbourne Town last season and Alan is hoping he will remain at the club. Gary Brockwell, who has been offered a trial with Crawley, has committed himself to Eastbourne Town.

Walsh said: "Hopefully the majority of the squad is staying and we have spoken to half a dozen senior players who we feel can come into the squad and benefit us.

"We want to get promotion in the first year. But we must stay on an even keel. With the name of Eastbourne Town and the facilities we have got there, we will be one of the sides to beat.

"It is a difficult league. A lot of the sides can beat each other. There will be half a dozen sides going for the three spots and hopefully we will be one of them."