Portadown were last night forced to wait before finding out if they will
have a future in Premier League football.
The Irish FA's Appeals Committee deferred a decision on the Ports appeal
against the process for application for the new Invitational League, which
is due to kick-off in August.
The independent committee were locked in a meeting for some four hours, yet
still they couldn't come up with a final decision, although that is expected
to be announced at some stage today.
Two weeks ago the Shamrock Park club were told that their application would
not be considered because it was handed in after the deadline had passed.
Although the club asked for some leniency from the governing body the IFA
insisted that they would stick rigidly to the deadline and therefore forcing
Portadown into intermediate football for at least one season.
Having been the most successful Irish League clubs, playing at a lower level
would be something of an embarrassment for the County Armagh side. They are
also undertaking a £1million-plus redevelopment of their Shamrock Park home.
It is understood that the 12 teams who will form next season's Premier
League will find out the good news this evening.
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