REMYCA manager Steve Scott has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete at Step 5 football following a late reprieve that allows the Sefton-based club to remain in the North West Counties Premier Division for the upcoming season. The club was spared relegation after Pilkington resigned from the league after the Football Association’s allocations were finalized, an outcome that also benefited Step 6 side Maine Road, who avoided dropping into the feeder leagues despite finishing last in the First Division North.

Scott took charge of REMYCA midway through the 2025-26 season when the club was at the bottom of the table with only seven points. Under his management, the team secured 20 additional points and managed surprise victories against promotion contenders Wythenshawe and Ramsbottom United. Although the team lost their final three matches, they ended three points and one place below the safety zone, only to be reinstated following the FA’s intervention last week.

“We'll definitely take the reprieve and I’m not embarrassed by it because I believe we have proven we deserve to be in this league,” Scott said. He emphasized the importance of finishing above the bottom spot, noting, “If you look at the league table since I took over, we are in the top half.” Scott added that if REMYCA had not been granted this opportunity, they would have been committed to earning promotion back to Step 5 through sporting merit.

Since joining the club, Scott said his focus has been on restoring pride and hope after a challenging period, adding that what many saw as an insurmountable task was instead an opportunity to make a positive statement. He also reflected on his long association with the club, having previously played for REMYCA during their county football years.

The Premier Division itself has undergone significant restructuring ahead of the new season, with the FA reducing the number of teams from 24 to 20 in a wider effort to refine the football pyramid. Several established clubs were moved laterally to the Midland Football League, while Stockport Town resigned before league allocations were announced. Pilkington’s withdrawal left the division with 19 teams and introduced uncertainty.

Scott acknowledged the difficulties faced by FA officials in reorganizing the leagues and expressed understanding of the challenges involved in making such decisions. He noted the number of clubs with legitimate claims to fill Pilkington’s vacated spot, including First Division South champions Runcorn Town, playoff finalists Maghull and Eccleshall, and those shifted to the Midland League. While disappointed by Pilkington’s late exit, Scott suggested that the club likely had concerns not publicly disclosed, possibly related to funding or logistical issues.

As REMYCA prepares for another season at Step 5, Scott has urged the club to capitalize on this unexpected chance to stabilize and improve, insisting that the team must demonstrate they belong at this level through their performances on the pitch.