Wembley boss Ian Bates has warned his players to expect a rough ride if the club are moved to the Spartan South Midlands League next season.

The Lions are expecting to play their football in the Spartan League next season but are still awaiting formal ratification from the Football Association.

It will end their stay in the Combined Counties Premier Division, where they have resided since the 2005-06 campaign, following a similar restructure.

Bates’ team are used to playing on a carpet at Vale Farm, but they now fear the standard of the pitches in their proposed new league will not be up to scratch.

Bad pitches means scrappy football and the Wembley boss, who may have to play himself again next term, hopes referees protect his players in 2014-15.

“It’s difficult to tell whether it’s a good move or a bad move – you never know until you’re actually in the league,” Bates explained.

“They were talking about doing it a few years ago and I think it was always going to happen I suppose.

“The travelling was never a problem for us in the Combined Counties.

“Some of the lads work in central London so there were good transport connections for them.

“We usually play a lot of pre-season friendlies against teams from the Spartan league – London Colney and teams like that – so we know a bit about them.

“I’m a bit worried about the pitches though. People are saying it’s a ‘kickers’ league but I guess most teams in step five are kickers anyway. We get used to it.

“Not every pitch is going to be perfect but we’ll soon find out. I’m sure we’ll have some good pitches and a few bad ones as well. It’ll be a good experience.”

South Park, Croydon, Wembley, Ash United, Chessington & Hook United and Alton Town are all expected to leave the Combined Counties, subject to approval at next month’s AGM.

However, Bates is pushing ahead with his plans for life in the Spartan and has told his Lions squad to be ready to return for pre-season on June 3.

“It sounds early, but the season will start at the beginning of August and that only gives us eight weeks until kick-off, with probably four weeks until the first pre-season game in July,” he said.

“I usually like about 10 weeks to prepare, but we are a bit behind schedule because it took so long to get this season finished.

“Marvin Lawrence, a youth team prospect, wants to go and try to play higher, but other than that it looks good.

“Wayne Walters should return from his back problem and Adrian Dinham has had his surgery.”