LISS Athletic will not be playing Wessex League football next season.

Manager Rich Bessey confirmed that, regardless of a top of the table finish, the ground is not good enough to meet the Wessex League’s regulations.

Should the Wessex League permit it, the Liss first team are planning to ground-share with Petersfield Town next season in a compromise that would make promotion to the Wessex League the following year possible. This was the outcome of a meeting between Bessey and chairman Peter Storrie last week.

“A ground-share has been confirmed with Petersfield Town and given the go-ahead by the Hampshire League and Petersfield’s Southern Central Division. We’re now waiting for authorisation from the Wessex League,” stated Bessey.

The Wessex League rules are that all grounds must be fully enclosed. Liss fail to meet this requirement.

Complications over land ownership prevent a solution at Newman Collard.

Despite Liss’ hopes of promotion to the Wessex League taking a setback, Bessey remains positive.

“Assuming it all goes ahead, if we finish either first or second in the Hampshire Senior Division next season, we will be promoted into the Wessex First Division.”

Bessey has previously raised concerns over retaining his squad for next season if they are not a Wessex League team, but he has now confirmed that he plans to stay at the club next season if the ground-share goes ahead.