8th tier Southern League club confirm decision to withdraw from division

8th tier Southern League Division One South club Hamworthy United confirm their decision to withdraw from the division with immediate effect.

Hamworthy had impressed in recent years, win the Wessex Premier Division in 2021–22, earning promotion to Division One South of the Southern League.

The club went on to finish third in Division One South in 2022/23, qualifying for the promotion playoffs, and after beating Evesham United 3–0 in the semi-finals, they lost the final 2–0 to Sholing.

But in 2023, their grandstand was condemned after failing safety checks. June saw Hamworthy remain at Step 4 for the 2023/24 season after agreeing a short term groundshare with Weymouth.

The demolition and rebuild of the Hamworthy United stand approved, but it seems tough times has left to the club withdrawing from their division…

Club Statement: Withdrawing from the Southern League.https://t.co/Yo5wH3f0XP

— Hamworthy United FC (@HamworthyUtdFC) October 6, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

It is with profound regret that the club have written to the Southern League to inform them of our intention to withdraw from the league with immediate effect.

The Management and players have been informed.

This decision has not been taken lightly. However, with the ongoing financial burden of being unable to play at our home ground together with the general costs of keeping a team in the Southern League, the financial position of the club has become untenable. In the best interests of the club we need to “re-boot” and concentrate on our Dorset Premier League team and the business. If this decision was not taken now, in a very short space of time there would no longer be a Hamworthy United Football Club which is something we could not let happen.

Thank you to all the management team, players current and past, supporters and sponsors for helping us have a fantastic few years, the best the club has ever experienced.

The Chairman and Board

Hamworthy United Football Club

Twitter users reacted as the 8th tier Southern League club confirm the decision to withdraw from their division…

@BSully_: Terrible news. Spent some great years at this wonderful club. Feel sorry for the fans, staff, board and first team players in this situation that all has come crashing down through no fault of their own. Very sad for local non-league football.

@LewisCherries: Awful news.. 🙏

@mikerobins97: Very sorry to hear this news. After all that was done and achieved, to suffer a severe setback from outside at the eleventh hour is extremely annoying to say the least. Best wishes going forwards.

@jambojames1968: @DorsetCFA and Poole borough council should hold their heads in shame this morning of what they have done to our club, respect to all the board members who have fought so hard in recent months and having to make this difficult decision😢😢 #upthehammers

@samialg17: Really unfortunate news. A club that gave me the opportunity to develop and grow. Showed unconditional support and an unwavering amount of commitment to players and staff. I have no doubt they will bounce back and be great again. #UTH ⚒️

@Alex__rose870: Still hard to put into words now. Been at the club since I was 15 & to see it go down like this hurts a lot. Will be forever grateful for the opportunities everyone has given me & it’s time to see what’s next for me. Once a Hammer, always a Hammer ❤️⚒️

@Tank089: Very sad to see this, ultimately the club has been let down by @DorsetCFA and @BCPCouncil. An incredible amount of work and energy went in to getting the club where it was. Sad day for Dorset football.

@WSXSAFC: @DorsetCFA Blood on your hands.

@DanGilbert10: Unbelievable!, sad day for the players and all involved with the club ⚒

@kirkgrice: Sorry to hear this news!! So many good people involved in the club, who have driven the success over the years, to have it all taken away for something out of their control is horrendous. Some institutions need a long hard look at themselves to allow it to get to this point.

@rayalderton42: Very sad. Hang your heads in shame @DorsetCFA and @BCPCouncil didn’t help much either !

@knightronik: Such sad news. Gutted.

@cossy11: Ahh FFS 🤦‍♂️! New stand cost more than Money then.

@Mikedobbo: Sad news, always been a great club to visit and deal with

@steve22smithy: Awful news hopefully the club can get back on its feet soon!!

@DannyAckland: Wow. That’s horrendous after the work done to get the club promoted in the first place. Sad day for everyone connected with the club. Unbelievable that the money generated within the game and the FA nationally and locally couldn’t get together to support the club

@Parkie64: Absolutely gutted.. well done DCFA & BCP! 👏👏😡

@leemerrifield1: A sad day for local non league football. We’re rivals yes but no one wants to see this happen to a local club.

@lucas2_p: Genuinely gutted to read this. We’ve always had a respectful and proper rivalry from the Wessex days and went up together into the SL. I hope that in time a solution to this awful situation can be reached. Our best from all @FootballBashley

@BlandfordUtdFC: Terrible day for #Dorset football, hopefully it won’t be too long before you’re all back on your feet and thriving again! 🤝💙 #Royals