Horsham YMCA Football Club

YM's Mick Browning, picture courtesy of the West Sussex County Times

YM HAVE applied to play in the Ryman League next season.

The Gorings Mead club, who are 14 points clear at the top of the County League, wrote to Ryman officials before the Christmas deadline after committee members voted in favour of a move at a recent meeting.

"We have applied and are waiting for a reply from the FA," said YM chairman Mick Browning.

YM have been the dominant side in the County League this season – they are unbeaten so far – and Browning believes the club are in a fantastic position to consider a climb up the non-league pyramid.

"The club has the chance to move forward, it could be the only chance we get of going up. The people at YM deserve the opportunity," added Browning.

But the chairman, who is in his 50th year of senior football, insists that the club will look at a move to the Ryman League with some trepidation.

The Gorings Mead ground will have to pass a ground inspection and Browning hopes the building of new changing room facilities, which has been in the pipeline for some time, will be resolved before officials come to Horsham.

There is also the issue of cost. A Ryman League season will involve more travelling, with the likes of Witham Town and Abingdon Town possible opponents should YM get the green light to play in Division 2.

"Everything has to be in place," said Browning. "The facilities have to be there and we have to feel that we could field a team that would be a credit to the club."