HULL City vice chairman Ehab Allam has voiced his anger after learning the club's academy may have to wait until 2016 before undergoing an all-important audit.
The Tigers have invested heavily in their youth development ranks over the last six months in an attempt to bring the club in line with Premier League rivals, including a summer move to Bishop Burton College.
City had initially hoped a fresh assessment of their facilities and practices would be made in the Spring, paving the way for a step up from Category Three to Category Two status in time for the 2015-16 season.
That would enable the club's under-18s and under-21s sides to test themselves in the Professional Development League, as opposed to the Youth Alliance and the Development League East against the likes of Mansfield, Hartlepool and Gateshead.
However, City are now being warned an audit may not come for another 18 months and that potential set-back has infuriated Allam.
"I'm extremely happy with what we've been able to achieve ourselves but unfortunately I do feel let down by the system and the way they're handling our request for a re-audit," Allam told the Mail.
"Apparently we only missed on level two by two per cent. You have to achieve 5,000 points to achieve level two status and we missed out by 125 points.
"We asked for them to reconsider with us only being two per cent off but they came back and said no, even though since the review we've appointed another 12 people.
"We've now asked for another audit this year and they've said that may not come for another 18 months.
"That wouldn't mean we stay at level three for this season but next season as well.
"That's so disappointing when you've got the FA putting all this investment into a review of grassroots football and how you improve. Here you've got a club who's investing money and you don't allow us the dignity to play against the teams on our level, no wonder English football is struggling.
"We're not promising to do things, we've actually done them."
A decision over City's next audit lies with the FA's Professional Game Board and a chance to state their case will come next month. Belgian company Double Pass would then be tasked to carry out the process.
Allam's frustration stems from the worry a sizeable investment may not be recognised until the 2016-17
season. Based at Bishop Burton having moved out of Ideal Standard in July, City now employ 23 full-time staff through the academy. They had hoped the only box left to be ticked would be sourcing an indoor facility to sit alongside their all-weather surface.
"It's not just a change of location, it's a cultural change. We're changing the philosophy of the academy," said Allam.
"The infrastructure, the facilities, the staffing has changed considerably. We're currently operating at Category Two standards although the status is still just Category Three.
"We've had a lot of praise for the work we're doing at the academy. We had an email recently from one coach who felt compelled to congratulate us on the standards we've got here.
"This individual goes around Premier League clubs on a regular basis every year and this was the first time he's felt compelled to write in like this. That speaks volumes for what we've been able to achieve in a relatively short period of time."
