...............but they are appealing due to circumstances

Their statement

The Club can confirm it has been informed by the Football Association that it has not achieved a Ground B rating by the deadline of 31 March 2008. However, speculation that the Club will inevitably be demoted is wide of the mark.

Clubs are entitled to apply for dispensation and City have already done that. Clearly, we have faced exceptional circumstances in having been the victim of bribery and fraudulent misrepresentations, the latter by an agent of our landlord, and having this proved in the High Court judgement announced in September 2007. There are still aspects of the litigation ongoing even now, some of which directly impact on our situation, but the resolve of the Club is undiminished.

The Club has a very strong case and would anticipate that the FA will be sympathetic to our circumstances. Final decisions on the Conference constitution are not taken until the AGM in June.