Whanganui Athletic supporters are celebrating their unexpected promotion to the Central League after the midweek withdrawal of Wellington United.
Athletic had finished runners-up in the Central League play-off against Stop Out after which the Hutt club earned promotion to the competition, and a chance to qualify for the Men’s National League next year.
But with the gap created by Wellington United’s withdrawal, Whanganui have met National League club licensing standards and have been successfully nominated by Capital Football and Central Football to go into the competition next season.
READ MORE: Wellington United pull out of Central League and look to ‘reset’ club’s plans >>>>
Athletic: Current Central Federation title holders
Last season, Athletic won the Central Federation League.
Athletic’s inclusion means the Central League will have two clubs from the Central Football region, the other being Napier City Rovers.
Athletic played in a previous iteration of the national league in 1993, 1994 and 1995 (the regional superclub competition), and reached the national league stage in 1993, finishing seventh.
In the Chatham Cup, Athletic reached the quarter-finals in 1996.
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