BANBURY United boss Mike Ford has expressed his frustration after their attempt to sign Didcot Town striker Felipe Barcelos broke down due to the uncertainty over which division they will be playing in next season.

In the Evo-Stik South League’s original restructure, Banbury were placed in the Premier South section.

But last month, they were switched to Premier Central, due to a withdrawal elsewhere in the non-league pyramid.

The Puritans appealed against the decision, which means they will play most of their fixtures in the Birmingham area.

They heard yesterday that their appeal to the Football Association had been unsuccessful and they will stay in the Central Division.

The uncertainty of the last month resulted in Barcelos, who lives in Swindon, deciding to stay with the Railwaymen.

Ford said: “Felipe has played for me before, and knowing that we need more pace upfront, I approached him and he was initially keen to sign.

“But the news that we had been placed in the Central Division had a huge impact.

“Felipe eventually decided that travelling an hour-and-a-quarter for home games and even further for away matches was too much for him.

“It’s certainly been a frustrating time not knowing until a month before the season, which league we were to play in.”

On the other hand, Didcot, who play in Division 1 East, are pleased the 25-year-old Brazilian has decided to stay at Loop Meadow.

With Andy Ballard’s side returning to training this week, midfielder Sam Barder also signed on to return along with under 18 graduate Caelan Isaac.

Meanwhile, Ford has confirmed that striker Steve Diggin and winger Ben Baker have agreed to sign for the Puritans for the forthcoming season.

Diggin, a 30 year-old striker, joins from Brackley Town, where he was a member of the team that won FA Trophy final at Wembley.

He came on as as substitute and scoring one of the penalties in their successful shoot-out against Bromley.

Baker is an 18-year-old winger, who played for Kettering Town last season.