Northern Inland Football did all it could to placate disgruntled Armidale clubs, says the organisation's chairman, Phil Davis. And despite the five clubs deciding to abandoned the NIF in favour of a rebel competition run by UNE Life, Davis said the "door was open" for them returning. He said: "From my point of view, it's very unfortunate we're in the position we're in. "We felt that we acted appropriately listening to the concerns of the Armidale seniors in regards to providing an alternate competition for them." In response to issues raised by the Armidale clubs, NIF announced in November that it had scrapped the Premier League in favour of a new northern conference and southern conference structure. But this week the Leader's sister paper, The Armidale Express, revealed that South Armidale, Norths United, East Armidale. Armidale City Westside and Demon Knights would depart the organisation to join the new UNE Life-run competition. Davis believes that the conference structure would have "united" the region's soccer communities. He said it would have resulted in the clubs receiving "total assistance" in their development "from the ground up". He said NIF "could see some fatal flaws in some of the clubs for their future". "I do feel that we are dealing with a lot of history here," he said in reference to the five clubs abandoning NIF despite the restructuring. He added: "A lot of it [the issues] is so historical. I guess they felt it was time [to leave]." "Potentially it is too far gone for the [Armidale] seniors this year [to stay with NIF]. However, I want to keep the doors open. "I feel like I have a very good working relationship with some of the senior members of each of the clubs up in Armidale, and I really anticipate that we continue the lines of communication. "We feel that our product is something that can really complement what they are trying to achieve up there as clubs, and with any luck we can reunite the region in the very near future." Davis said there was still much to be excited about, with the revamped eight-team Premier League commencing this season. This year Tamworth FC, OVA and North Companions will be joined in the Premier League by Gunnedah FC, Quirindi United, Kootingal Kougars, South Tamworth United and Moore Creek. Davis said NIF would make the Premier League "the best it's ever been". In a new development in the saga, Davis said the five rebel clubs had been invited to keep their juniors affiliated with NIF, Northern NSW Football and Football Federation Australia. He said that would allow the juniors to continue to play in events sanctioned by the three organisations, "which I feel is really, really important for their future and the future of football in Armidale".
OLIVE BRANCH: Northern Inland Football has left the "door open" for the rebel Armidale clubs to rejoin the organisation. Photo: Peter Hardin
Northern Inland Football did all it could to placate disgruntled Armidale clubs, says the organisation's chairman, Phil Davis.
And despite the five clubs deciding to abandoned the NIF in favour of a rebel competition run by UNE Life, Davis said the "door was open" for them returning.
He said: "From my point of view, it's very unfortunate we're in the position we're in.
"We felt that we acted appropriately listening to the concerns of the Armidale seniors in regards to providing an alternate competition for them."
In response to issues raised by the Armidale clubs, NIF announced in November that it had scrapped the Premier League in favour of a new northern conference and southern conference structure.
But this week the Leader's sister paper, The Armidale Express, revealed that South Armidale, Norths United, East Armidale. Armidale City Westside and Demon Knights would depart the organisation to join the new UNE Life-run competition.
Davis believes that the conference structure would have "united" the region's soccer communities. He said it would have resulted in the clubs receiving "total assistance" in their development "from the ground up".
He said NIF "could see some fatal flaws in some of the clubs for their future".
"I do feel that we are dealing with a lot of history here," he said in reference to the five clubs abandoning NIF despite the restructuring.
He added: "A lot of it [the issues] is so historical. I guess they felt it was time [to leave]."
"Potentially it is too far gone for the [Armidale] seniors this year [to stay with NIF]. However, I want to keep the doors open.
"I feel like I have a very good working relationship with some of the senior members of each of the clubs up in Armidale, and I really anticipate that we continue the lines of communication.
"We feel that our product is something that can really complement what they are trying to achieve up there as clubs, and with any luck we can reunite the region in the very near future."
Davis said there was still much to be excited about, with the revamped eight-team Premier League commencing this season.
This year Tamworth FC, OVA and North Companions will be joined in the Premier League by Gunnedah FC, Quirindi United, Kootingal Kougars, South Tamworth United and Moore Creek.
Davis said NIF would make the Premier League "the best it's ever been".
In a new development in the saga, Davis said the five rebel clubs had been invited to keep their juniors affiliated with NIF, Northern NSW Football and Football Federation Australia.
He said that would allow the juniors to continue to play in events sanctioned by the three organisations, "which I feel is really, really important for their future and the future of football in Armidale".
