YEOVIL Town Ladies have been dealt a huge blow after the Glovers were denied a Championship licence following an FA hearing.

English football's governing body ruled that Yeovil's business plan, featuring a return to part-time football, was inadequate.

Yeovil will now prepare for life in the FA Women's National League South - a drop of two divisions after their current season in the FA Women's Super League.

Financial issues had handed Yeovil a 10-point deduction in March, relegating the Glovers, and the club's hierarchy have been unable to convince the FA to stem the drop to just one division. 

There is no right of appeal against the decision.

Echosport understands Dorchester Town's Clayson Stadium had once more been the first-choice home venue for the Glovers should they have been granted Championship football.

However, Yeovil will now have to reassess their financial situation, including a review of their link-up with Dorchester. 

In a lengthy statement issued by Yeovil Town Ladies, the Glovers insisted it is "time to prove the doubters wrong again".

It read: "It was with great sadness that the club received the notification from the Football Association that we had been refused a licence to play in Tier Two (the Championship) of the women’s game next season.

"We submitted what we believed was a viable and sensible business plan to revert to part-time football but also keep all the building blocks in place to ensure our academy and young players could continue to develop.

"The FA did not support that plan and they have total discretion to whom they will or will not grant licences. It may surprise many to know that their right to make that decision is final and there is no right of appeal.

"So many people associated with this wonderful football club will be incredibly disappointed and rightly so.

"Our challenges on and off the field this season have been well documented but we have always tried to do the best in these circumstances.

"The club must now plan over the coming days and weeks for Tier Three football and what that will mean for us on and off the field.

"Effectively this is where we started several years ago before our journey of growth. Many people doubted a small club like us could achieve what we have so it is now time to prove the doubters wrong once again.

"We shall share more thoughts and plans on this over the coming weeks as at the moment all involved need time to reflect on recent events.

"As a club we need to thank so many people who have been part of this family over recent years. Just about everyone assisting us off the field has been a volunteer and given time and expertise freely and graciously.

"In addition, both our fans and sponsors have been a huge source of commitment and encouragement. This year we want particularly to thank Lee Burch (manager) and his staff and players for what they achieved in the WSL against all odds and teams with budgets far exceeding ours.

"We are already talking to Lee about plans for next year and hope these discussions can be positive."

Elsewhere, Yeovil goalkeeper Megan Walsh was handed the 'save of the season' award at the FA Women's Football Awards evening for her brilliant flying stop against Liverpool.