LYE Town turned down any prospect of promotion from the Midland League this season as they face a huge price-hike on their lease which is currently being demanded by Dudley Borough Council.

Club chairman Brian Blakemore has claimed the 500 per cent rise which the council want to impose is completely unacceptable and unaffordable.

Lye Town have been renting their Stourbridge Road ground off the council since 1930 and need to have a formal lease to be considered for promotion.

Brian Blakemore claimed: “The council have offered us a new 20-year lease which is fine. The problem is the rent increase. I have been negotiating with the council for well over 12 months trying to find a satisfactory solution, but it has not been possible. We would love nothing more than to get promoted and this season, we are in with a real chance of winning what is a very tough league as only one side get promoted from it.

“The council have told us that if we could prove anyone else pays less, they might reconsider the situation and we’ve gone both the Midland League and the FA to see if they can help us.

“Whatever happens, it will be too late for this season, even if we do go onto win the league as we’ve already gone past the FA’s application deadline date and it’s unlikely they will alter the rules for us.

“There are other ground improvements we would need to implement to obtain promotion which would have meant installing turnstiles and toilet facilities within the ground, which are not considerable.

“But without agreement on the lease, our application would not meet FA criteria and be refused.

“It’s massively disappointing for everybody involved with the club and I will continue to explore every avenue to try and find a suitable solution.

“We’re not on our own in this. Lye Cricket Club are in a similar situation and I understand all sports clubs within Dudley borough will now face the same increases.”

Lye improved their title winning chances this week with a 2-0 triumph over AFC Wulfrunians thanks to second half goals from Jack Pearlman and Sam Tye.

The result takes Lye to within a point of leaders Alvechurch with the luxury of two games in hand.

Lye entertain local rivals Tividale on Boxing Day which kicks-off at 11am.