WHYTELEAFE's intention to let Warlingham share their ground was sanctioned at the Ryman League annual meeting on Saturday.

But it will be up to Warlingham whether they extend Leafe's ban on vuvuzelas.

Leafe became the first club in England to ban the horns that have been a big part of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Chairman Mark Coote cannot stand the noise of the craze - because it drowns out the atmosphere created by fans.

National media picked up the story, which broke after the Surrey Mirror's deadline last week but before the club held an evening for 140 people to watch England v Algeria last Friday.

"There was not one vuvuzela," remarked Coote after Friday's event. "Everyone knew we'd banned them and I'd be shoving them where they don't work if they brought them.

"I don't like them. I think they ruin the atmosphere and you can't hear what the fans are singing."

Spectators at Church Road are one of the few in the borough who sing at games, including 'We all follow the Whyteleafe, over land and sea - and Chipstead!'.

At the World Cup, teams drummers and the traditional trumpeter from the Netherlands have been inaudible.

Coote added: "I think someone would get clumped round the head if they did it at a game in England. Anyway, I don't think an Englishman could blow one for 90 minutes. It will be quite interesting come the first game of the season to see if anyone brings one, just to see what we will do about it. Someone will test us."

Meanwhile, Coote has trumpeted - with caution - success in the saga of bringing in Warlingham, of the Combined Counties League Division One, to become tenants at Church Road. The issue appears to have been resolved in the club's favour after a brief statement was read out at the league's annual meeting on Saturday.

It said, in light of Godalming's successful appeal which now allows Badshot Lea to share, all new agreements that had been received by the end of May have been approved for 12 months. Leafe had proposed a two-year deal, but Coote will now sit down next week with Wars officials about a 12 month one.

Still awaiting official confirmation in person, Coote added: "The whole issue has left a sour taste. They could have done this in the first place and allowed an agreement for 12 months, which was the remaining time Warlingham had on their deal at Merstham."

Merstham's intention to let Epsom & Ewell share Moatside is thus also approved. Groundsharing, as an issue, will be discussed at the clubs' pre-season meeting on August 9.