Portadown confirmed yesterday (Thursday) they had lodged an appeal against their exclusion from top-flight football.
The club's failure to meet the final deadline for the IFA Premiership was the subject of Wednesday's meeting of executive committee members.
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And a subsequent statement confirmed the ruling on the grounds that "the application was not submitted by the stipulated deadline of four o'clock on Monday, March 31, which was endorsed by the executive committee at its meeting on January 10, 2008. The application has, therefore, not been included in the process".
A restructuring of the domestic game is on course to kick off in August, with a 12-team division followed by a Premier Intermediate League body.
Failure to make the senior grade would prove a major blow to Portadown's future - with fans expressing fears over risks such as the loss of players and, ultimately, the potential damage caused by a minimum of two seasons spent in football's second tier.
Club officials already face a long-term financial commitment towards extensive ground redevelopments, including the erection of a £1.2 million 1,824-seater stand.
A legal challenge would prove Portadown's only option if the appeal against this week's IFA decision is unsuccessful.
"We are putting our hands up over the fact that it was late but feel other circumstances should come into it," said Portadown director, Bobby Jameson. "The situation is now in the hands of the club's legal team.
"The IFA will review our appeal and set a date for club representatives to put forward a case.
"Two factors connected to missing the deadline are that a bad road traffic accident held everything up, plus our accountants in Belfast were not aware of the four o'clock deadline.
"A lot of hard work and money went into the application and I feel the efforts of the chairman and everyone else connected to the process should be praised.
"Everything contained within the application was accurate and that should count for something.
"Also, Portadown's success on the pitch over the years and status as the most successful club outside of Belfast is another important aspect.
"These elements should all be taken into consideration. At this stage, it is a waiting game."