The following statement has been released to the press this afternoon by club chairman Ivor Arbiter.

"The decision by myself and the Board to decline the invitation to join the newly formed Conference South was a very hard one to make. But as Chairman it is my duty to oversee and safeguard the future development of the club, and with the move to the Copthall Stadium in Hendon we have very positive plans for the future.

"At Hendon Football Club we are very proud of our playing achievements and the success that our manger Dave Anderson and his players have brought to the club in recent years. The Arbiter Group have been supporting the club financially for almost 10 years and we are all very grateful to them for their support.

"Our future at Copthall should be very exciting and the stadium will be a first class facility with a solid infrastructure to build upon, but while our loyal supporters have, as always, been magnificent, it is very important that we attract more spectators to our home games.

"Taking a place in the Conference South in the near future remains our ambition and when that opportunity arises it is hoped that Hendon Football Club will be in a strong stable financial position and our team will be built on a solid financial base."