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8th tier club confirm their decision to resign from league with immediate effect

8th tier club Walsall Wood confirm their decision to resign from the Northern Premier League Midlands Division with immediate effect.

A statement by the 20/21 FA Vase semi finalists released on Tuesday afternoon cites “insufficient funds and a lack of communication from (owner) Justin Hodgin over the past 4 weeks”

No chance of satisfying the league, or anyone attempting due diligence to potentially step in, without Justin Hodgin engaging.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Walsall Wood FC resigns from the league with immediate effect.

It is with deep regret that Walsall Wood FC announces its resignation from the NPL Midlands Division, effective immediately. Despite the unwavering dedication and hard work of our volunteers, we have reached a point where we are unable to sustain the first team due to insufficient funds and a lack of communication from Justin Hodgin over the past four weeks.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the league committee members for their support and understanding during these challenging times.

We want to emphasise that our grassroots section, which includes both boys’ and girls’ teams competing across several leagues (SGLFL, MJPL, JPL, MSJYL, and WJYL), remains strong and vibrant. This section will now take control of the club’s operations, for the foreseeable future, working closely with our dedicated volunteers to ensure a viable Men’s first team structure returns to Walsall Wood FC.

Walsall Wood FC is proud to run several FA initiatives, including Comets, Just Play, Wildcats, and Squad Girls, which continue to engage and inspire our local community. We remain committed to providing a positive environment for young players and will work diligently to ensure the club remains a valuable asset to the community.

Thank you for your continued support during this challenging time. We look forward to a new chapter for Walsall Wood FC focused on our grassroots development and community engagement.

Ian Sylvester & Casey Boswell

It comes a week after more games were postponed for Walsall Wood with a report at the time stating that they saw the playing budget axed with new boss Adam Pearce determined to ‘pig in’, helping them to keep on track.

They had sat 4th in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division with 19 points from 11 games played, and after those postponements, they dropped to 10th.

Ian Long and every member of his squad, apart from under-21 goalkeeper Alex Bowen, walked out of the club citing “multiple broken promises along with unpaid wages”.

The game against Corby Town, scheduled for the 4th of October, ended up being called off, the game against Lye on the 8th went ahead, losing 2-1.

Walsall Wood said: “It is no secret that the past few days have been difficult for Walsall Wood Football Club.

“Our hardworking band of volunteers have united to ensure a new team came together for tonight’s match with Lye Town. which has been our sole focus since Friday.

“We are very proud of the players and management that represented our wonderful club tonight and look forward to continuing our work to stabilise the club on and off the pitch in the coming weeks.

“Please be assured that any updates will be provided as and when appropriate.”

Here’s how Twitter users reacted as the 8th tier club confirm their decision to resign from the league with immediate effect…

@DFCRiver: Another club resigns from their league because of one bad businessman. The independent football regulator needs to go much deeper than National League North level as the real clubs at risk are at lower levels…

@TheRealLiamCook: Another historic club in deep water. When will something be done to stop hard working volunteers and fans losing their clubs due to the daft decisions of a couple of misguided people. Thoughts are with the staff and supporters on this dark day for Midlands Non League

@JoshuaMansell3: Such a shame, had two great spells at the wood. There are some real hard working people there who love what they do, it’s a real shame for them. Really hope they can build back up in the future⚽️👏🏻

@KierenGuicey: Such a shame! Were tipped to do well this season as well and had a fantastic start too. Hope they get back on their feet sooner rather than later. #walsall #wood

@GrantJJoshua: I’ll finish the statement for you shall I.. Thanks to @Sav1979x for all the hard work over the past 3/4 weeks putting a side out for free 👍🏼 Good luck for the future, not nice to see.

@YouYeltz: Another non-league club disappears. A terrible shame for the volunteers and supporters. Sadly an all-too-common occurrence recently, and for the same reason yet again – trying to pay player wages they could never afford. 👎

@WBA78part2: That’s huge, I hope they sort it out in the coming months and don’t disappear.

@alexjhurley: Shame. Best of luck for the future. Hopefully this (and Coalville and Loughborough Dynamo) acts as a lesson to other clubs about making sure things are done sustainably.

@jonathanhale05: This is horrible news. Extremely sad for the fans and all those who have worked hard to keep it going over many years. I hope you can reform in some form in the future and come back strong

@jhuckfield88: Had unreal times here as a player and as part of the coaching staff! Gutted for everyone involved & fair play to the people who stayed despite everything & tried to sort things out. @Karlhughes88 @xKcAnnx along with others. Hopefully the club will be back. #FTGOTW ❤️ 🤍

@WezWWF99: Sad day for the club. Hope you guys manage to pull through and get things sorted 🤝

@RCWFC: Terrible news for all those associated

@chet_45: Sad to read. Hope you can bounce back.

@JamieArrowsmith: What a sad way to go out… this is the best example of why so much money in non league is so toxic🤯

@MattyLovattWS: Agghh this one stings. So many great memories! Such a romantic and great club which used to be steeped in proper tradition. Feel really sorry for the fans and the proper people who built the club back up in recent years. I hope they can get back competing ASAP 🙏🏻❤

@hinckleyafcfan: Sad to see this, hope to see the club back up and running in the future ❤️

@Jackzxcl: so sad to see especially grassroots

@cartss6: Sad to see , skint now tho … good look going forward

@ShaqWhitts7: Another club 🤦🏾‍♂️ sad too see

@BenSmar92018702: Sending everyone at the Club the best and a quick upcoming in the future ❤

@smcinstall: Wow

@929journeyKRO: Isnt Justin the owner? If so how has he managed to fail in communications? Or has he gone awol? Ive heard of young lads going to play there and he will refuse to pay them when they leave for example, shocking , keep the bloke away from football

@ronxn21: Such a shame, was a pleasure to wear the shirt to try help the club, even if it was a very short time. Hopefully the club gets back to where it belongs.

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