Hales could miss out on a place in the Alliance after failing to register their application for promotion in time.The Knights Norfolk League Division One leaders did not meet the Alliance deadline of June 30 and could now face the agonising prospect of becoming champions but not being able to take their place at the higher level.

Hales could miss out on a place in the Alliance after failing to register their application for promotion in time.

The Knights Norfolk League Division One leaders did not meet the Alliance deadline of June 30 and could now face the agonising prospect of becoming champions but not being able to take their place at the higher level.

Alliance chairman John Tythcott said: "Hales were in excess of three weeks late with their application. The application has been declined by the ground standards sub committee, however Hales have the facility of an appeal to the full committee of the Alliance."

Any appeal would not be heard until an Alliance meeting in September.

Hales chairman Pete Dye would not confirm that his club would be launching an appeal, but said: "The club do not wish to comment until after the Alliance meeting on September 13."

New rules were introduced this year whereby clubs are required to indicate to the Alliance that they would seek promotion if they win their feeder league. The rules were brought in to allow Alliance officials to visit clubs during the season and to highlight areas which needed improving to bring them up to the required standard. Clubs would then have the chance to carry out any necessary work before the end of the season, when promotion and relegation places are finalised.

Tythcott added that he had offered to visit Hales within the next fortnight - irrespective of any appeal by the club over their application - to inspect their facilities and to give them an idea of what work needs doing to bring them up to scratch for the Alliance.

Three clubs - Thetford and Hayley East Anglia from the West Norfolk League and Great Witchingham A from the Norfolk League - registered applications for promotion before the June 30 deadline.

West Norfolk Division One leaders Grimston have not applied and if they go on to win the title, promotion would be offered to the side finishing as runners-up, provided they are eligible. Thetford, who dropped out of the Alliance in 2002, occupy that place at the moment. They have recently had new changing facilities built at their Mundford Road ground so would have few problems meeting the Alliance criteria.

Hayley East Anglia, who are third, do not currently have showers - an Alliance requirement - at their Castle Rising base, but secretary Paul Burch said there were plans to rectify this should the chance of promotion arise.

Aldborough, second in Norfolk League Division One behind Hales, have not applied for promotion.

Witchingham, who are third, would have no problems meeting Alliance standards as their Walcis Park ground is already fit for the East Anglian Premier League. However, promotion would not be offered to a side finishing outside the top two.