Withdean could be left without a league to play in next season after their bid to switch to the Combined Counties League ran into new problems today.

The FA say that they will not recognise the Combined Counties League next season if they accept Withdean who have not been given permission to switch pyramids by the Sussex County League.

Clive Tidey, secretary of the Combined Counties League, has written to the FA outlining the reasons why Withdean should be allowed to join.

But if the FA's stance remains unchanged they will be forced to say no to.

Tidey said: "We want to take Withdean, but if the FA refuse to sanction our league we can't operate. We have a lot of sympathy with Withdean but we have to be fair to our other clubs as well."

The County League have refused to sanction Withdean's switch because they did not apply to change leagues until after the February 1 deadline.

Withdean this week named Geoff Pook as their new manager while brother Alan has quit as chairman of Burgess Hill to take charge of their youth section.

Secretary Brian Davies said: "If the County League sanctioned the switch, even retrospectively, then no one would complain and there would be no problem.

"The Combined Counties League have been very good to us and I hope the FA listen to them. But if the FA insist they can't take us then we won't be playing anywhere next season."