Marlow United forced to withdraw from their league, coming just 24 hours after fellow Step 6 side NKF Burbage revealed they have folded.
The Flying Blues were sitting 12th in the Hellenic Division One East before the season was null and void, something which over 100 clubs after urging the FA to reconsider.
Photo Credit: Marlow United on Facebook
The club statement read: “It is with regret that Marlow United Football Club have withdrawn from the Hellenic Football League and have requested of the FA, through the Hellenic League to be returned from step 6 to step 7 of the NLS.
“The current national crisis will impact, on this and many other clubs, greatly, going forward.
“However, prior to this the club has struggled largely due to the extremely inclement conditions endured this season meaning many Saturday fixtures were necessarily cancelled and rescheduled for midweek which has impacted severely on the club’s financial position.
An average 100-130 Saturday attendance is much reduced on a Tuesday evening to around 40-70 resulting in costs exceeding income and while this could have been overcome the way is no longer clear going forward.
“The football club relies heavily on sponsorship, fundraising and match attendances. as the economy begins its recovery, which is a while away yet, there is no realistic chance of any substantial sponsorship and it may be many months before fundraising events can be held. With this in mind there is simply no way forward for the football club at step 6 level.
“With no clear way to generate meaningful funds we had little choice other than to terminate our Hellenic League membership by the 31 March deadline and reapply to join the Thames Valley Premier League.
“We would like to thank the Hellenic League and its officers for the opportunity afforded this season and we wish the league and its member clubs every success for the future.”
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Because of this, it could potentially cause a knock-on effect throughout the non league pyramid, meaning places will need to be filled with teams folding and voluntarily relegating themselves.
Many more clubs are unfortunately expected to follow the actions these clubs have taken this week.
Fans and other teams reacted as Marlow United are forced to withdraw from their league…
This is so sad to read but they maybe the first I have heard about but certainly they wont be the last, I am sure there are a lot of people out there that do not realise the financial commitment it takes at step 6 and upwards.??⚽️?
— Bacup Borough FC (@BacupBoro) April 1, 2020
This is so sad. It sounds like they are going to try to keep going in a lower league, so hope for the future. Keep believing and keep going.
— Chrisashworth72 (@chrisashworth72) April 1, 2020
Sorry to read this guys, completely understand your decision, It's a shame @FA are not stepping up to the plate. Like you say this will be common place across non league ?
— Holyport FC (@holyportfc) April 1, 2020
Sorry to hear this lads. All the best for next season ??
— AFC Aldermaston (@afcaldermaston) April 1, 2020
Great team, cracking set up. Had some good games against you this season sorry to hear this. I think there will be others that will follow. You have one of the best stands in the country imo. Best of luck next season
— Sam (@SamEeles) April 1, 2020
Thank you and no we will never fold
— Marlow United FC #stayinghomesaveslives (@UnitedMarlow) April 1, 2020
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