10th tier club St Dennis AFC say they are left saddened as they withdraw from their league ahead of 2024/25 season.
They have resigned from Walter C Parson South West Peninsula League Premier West division having faced numerous challenges in recent years.
They finished the 203/24 season sitting 16th, one place off the bottom, and picked up 20 points from 32 game splayed, scoring 39 and conceded 112.
The club also faced another setback when their manager, Jack Barbery, announced his resignation due to personal and work commitments.
Despite the vacancy, there has been minimal interest in the position from potential candidates, with with around seven weeks away until the new campaign, and quick decision was made on their future.
Official Statement 💙⚽️@swpleague pic.twitter.com/FtP8JGAWAw
— St Dennis AFC (@StDennisAFC1) June 14, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
From club secretary Alesha Banfield
“It is with great sadness and disappointment that we announce that we have made the decision to withdraw our first team from the Walter C Parson South West Peninsula League.
“Although this was a difficult decision, its one that the committee feel is the correct one at this present time.
“With the management team announcing resignation towards the end of last week, an advert was put out on social media, but regrettably there was little interest, and we feel that making a decision sooner rather than later is beneficial for all involved.
“We have been informed that many of the first team players have already stepped away from the club, leaving little to no players left from last year.
“A new manager would need to bring a vast number of players, but that just isn’t out there at this time.
“The first team have faced many challenges over the past few seasons, which as a club we have managed to overcome.
“We have made it through some extremely tough times, this sometimes with a huge impact on the finances at the club.
“For the future of St Dennis AFC, this level of football is no longer sustainable.
“Through many years of experience, we know that we will not be able to attract the calibre of player needed to compete at Step 6 without the pull that many other clubs have.
“Our priority is to now focus on the development of our reserves team, taking a couple of steps backwards to then take a few forward.
“With lots of players from our youth set up now progressing into adult football, it’s important that we continue to support them and offer a fantastic place to play football.
“We also want to improve our youth set up, along with the ladies team that we started last year.
“Of course, we would like to put on record our thank you to everyone who has been involved with the club and those who played a pivotal role in getting our first team into the Peninsula League, it has not gone unnoticed.
“We would also like to thank the South West Peninsula League for their fantastic support throughout the years, we will hope to return whenever the time is right.
“This is not the news that we wanted to share ahead of a new season, but we know it is the correct decision to make.”
This is how fans reacted with the 10th tier club saddened as they withdraw from their league ahead of the 2024/25 season…
@kelvinhunkin: Excellent statement .Your family and others in the local community deserve huge credit in getting the club to the SWPL and sustaining it as long as you have.Good luck for the future.
@maskofthedemon: That’s awful. I’m sorry to read this. Always gave a good fight the few times I watched last season
@craig_ents: A big loss to the league. You will bounce it back
@markarenh: Sorry to read this, good luck rebuilding, it’s so difficult at this level..
@Axworthy08: Such a shame, was always amongst my favourite places to play, from a former Plymouth Marjon player
@TamarSports: Sad to read. Good luck going forward.
@swsportsnews: sorry to read but eloquently stated. if we can be of any assistance Alesha/#StDennis please get in touch. Always here to freely promote training sessions/management/players search et Kind regards, wishing #oneandall @StDennisAFC1 all the best for the future – ross
@Blue99290908: Sad news but totally understand xx
@ScottParsons3: Sorry to hear this! Always enjoyed coming down to your ground. Hope to see you bounce back
@Richard43838268: so sorry to read this, i hope you rebuild and come back stronger, @StickerAFC have lost a huge Rival and its been a brilliant clash of the (lower) Titans on boxing day/BHM.
@Baker86James: Was a pleasure to captain the club last season im sure the club will bounce back all the best in the future some great people at that club who put in a lot of hard work
@NotLeeKirkman: That’s such a shame. I really enjoyed my visit with @CreddyAFC last season in the cup, great clubhouse, friendly people and a really tasty curry and chips from the food hut. Good luck on your rebuild, and hopefully I’ll get to visit again in the future.
@snowboy18: Sad news. A lots of clubs are going to find it difficult after the 2024/25 season. The FA are demanding higher standards, none of which relate to the ability of the team on the pitch. Clubs will need to decide on their priorities
@groundhopper23: Ah, player loyalty. Don’t you just love it? Maybe if players’ loyalty is to the manager rather than the club, perhaps the manager should be paying their wages out of his own pocket?
@StaveleyMWFC: And anuva one …. So so sad times in ⚽️
@SouthWestUncut: So sad to learn of this. It’s a great little ground. Hopefully, they’ll be back before too long, @swpleague football (& grub) was a treat down there 🏐
@markrapsey1: Sad news, good luck to the Saints, hope you bounce back stronger in the future 💪 👍⚽️
@jondoc85: Such a shame but added pressures of trying to run 2 clays teams is testing . hard enough running one .
@TheLakers1889: Very sad.
@BradHicks20: 😢😢😢
@NotLeeKirkman: Such a shame, they are a lovely club. I went with @CreddyAFC last season, hopefully they come back in the future.

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