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Several non-league clubs have reacted with anger with the news that Oxford United will be allowed into the Conference whilst clearly breaking the rules.
A Conference rule states that spectators can watch the game for any side of the ground, but Oxford's three-sided ground flouts that rule.
Conference chiefs have dismissed reports that they would refuse Oxford's entry, with John Moules quotes as saying: "There is criteria which says spectators should be able to view a game from all four sides. The rule exists in the Football League as well, but gives discretion to the board of directors to make their own judgement. There is no hesitation on our part in welcoming Oxford to the league ? there was never any doubt about that. Obviously, they are going to be one of the best-supported clubs, and probably one of the most successful as well."
However what is notable in the Conference's decision is that they refused Marine, twice winners of the Northern Premier League in the mid-90's, promotion to the Conference for exactly the same reason.
Altrincham's chairman, Geoff Goodwin, sees the cases as one and the same: "I have got nothing against Oxford at all and it doesn't matter who the club is, but what I would say is surely rules are rules? You either have them or you don't ? it's as simple as that. I have had to sit through a hearing which lost us 18 points and cost us relegation because we broke the rules. It has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth and a poor view of football. I'm not really bothered about Oxford's ground, to be honest, but they didn't let Marine in under the same ruling, so why is that?
"It seems to me like part-time clubs get punished while full-time ones get away with it. But that will sound like sour grapes after what has happened."
Altrincham will get an unlikely lifeline if Scarboro fail to assure the Conference over their future.
