Chipstead chairman: We will not quit

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Chairman Peter Philpott has denied rumours Chipstead are set to withdraw from Ryman League Division One South at the end of the season.

The Chips need three points from their final three games to be certain of avoiding relegation but talk has been circulating among their rivals that Mark Tompkins's men were set to quit anyway.

They were only saved from relegation last year because of other teams withdrawing, but Philpott is adamant the High Road club will be staying where they are for next season.

"We are totally committed to this league," he said.

"At the beginning of the season when we made all the changes we said we wanted to play at the highest level and we want to continue to do that.

"All the changes with the manager, the infrastructure and the pitch were focussed on Ryman League football.

"We are working on what is probably the smallest budget in the league but doing things the right way.

"I don't know if people are just stunned we are not going down but we are focussed on doing the business this year and being there next year and looking to consolidate."

Chipstead played out a 0-0 draw with mid-table Ramsgate on Saturday, leaving them with just one win in 11 games.

Despite that though they are three places and four points clear of the relegation zone and can no longer be caught by bottom club Eastbourne Town.

Remaining fixtures: Wednesday Sittingbourne Town (a), Apr 17 Dulwich Hamlet (a), 24 Eastbourne Town (h).

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