Medway Area Sunday League withdraw rule amendment proposal after big protests from leading side Quested

The Medway Area Sunday Football League have withdrawn a possible amendment to their rules that could have seen their most successful team quit.

Quested took to social media to voice their displeasure at an item on the AGM agenda where teams would vote on whether to limit players from step six football taking part in their Sunday League matches.

There was fierce debate on both sides of the argument, with Quested - managed by Steve Lester - threatening through their Twitter account to find another league if the ruling went through.

It’s believed the MASFL were looking to limit teams to two step six footballers per side. Quested have players as high as step four in their side with the rest of their squad made up mainly of those who feature at steps five and six.

A new ruling would have left the 27-time Senior League winners, who play home games at Luton Rec in Chatham, struggling to field a team. Nine of their squad play step six football.

Commenting on Twitter before the idea was dropped, the club wrote: “The [step six players] have been with us for between 5-12 years, if this rule comes in it breaks up a team that’s been together for many seasons, is that fair?

“We got spanked in the early days, we went 10 years before we won any trophies, but we took the beatings and stuck at it, now 40 years later, we are being punished for having a good team.

“It’s not just us it affects, it’s other teams that have more than two step six players, which we are finding out there are a few, and what happens in the Kent Cup when other sides from other leagues are allowed a full quota of step six players, is that a level playing field? I think not.

“We really don’t want to leave but if the rules are changed we would be open to all offers.”