Oxford City’s chairman Brian Cox admitted he had mixed feelings after the Marsh Lane club were told they must remain in the same division next season.

City, who finished third from bottom, but escaped relegation because Vauxhall Motors resigned, were keen to move across from North to the South division.

However, the Football Association’s National League System ruled yesterday that City would remain in the same division for the third successive season.

“It is disappointing we are staying in North again because we expressed a preference for the South,” said Cox.

“But we will just have to abide by the decision. We’ll be happy wherever we have to play.

“It does seem odd that Lowestoft Town (who were promoted from the Ryman League via the play-offs) have been placed in South.

“The only good thing is that we now miss out on Workington, which was our furthest trip north.”

Cox explained that the biggest drawback about being in the North division was player recruitment.

He added: “It does make it tougher signing players. They are part-time and they are concerned with the distances we have to travel to games.”

But Cox said a repeat of last season’s finish would not be tolerated next season.

“You finish where you deserve to finish and last season was not very good,” said Cox.

“The first season (when City finished tenth) was very good.

“So we have to turn it around.”

Cox said they hoped to announce Mike Ford’s successor as manager early next week.

Ford was axed after eight years at the club, having been boss since 2009.

Meanwhile, Hayes & Yeading, who were relegated from Skrill South after finishing 20th, have launched an appeal against the decision which saw City reprieved.

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Wantage Town, who won the Uhlsport Hellenic League title, will join Didcot Town and North Leigh in Calor League Division 1 South & West Division.

There had been speculation that Wantage would be placed in the Central Division.

Banbury United will remain in the Premier Division.

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