Much loved non league club Godolphin Atlantic resign from their division and disband with immediate effect, confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
Newquay based Godolphin Atlantic have resigned from the South West Peninsula Premier West, in which they sat 16th out of 17 teams, and had 12 points from 19 games played.
They had been a member club for 15 years, but following a number of tumultuous years at Godolphin Way, the club’s hierarchy have taken the decision to disband the club.
They formed in 1980 and were members of South West Peninsula since 2008. However, a player exodus caused a series of rebuilds under the leadership of club stalwarts like Nigel and Tania, along with Margaret Ashwood. But ultimately, another rebirth after the departures of manager Adam Paterson and his replacement Harry Pope proved too much of a challenge.
IMPORTANT League Statement :https://t.co/3iBFaqfGZY
The league have sadly accepted the resignation of @WeAreGodolphin who have in affect now disbanded as a club.
Stats & Tables will be updated, but for the moment are thoughts are for all those who have served “The G” pic.twitter.com/opDV9uDOKK
— SOUTH WEST PENINSULA FOOTBALL LEAGUE LTD (@swpleague) January 3, 2023
Tnia Semmens wrote via Twitter: “Statement from@WeAreGodolphin On behalf of GAFC we as a committee have disbanded the club with immediate effect we will no longer be playing in the @swpleague this season, We would like to thank everyone involved past and present managers players & supporters Margaret & Tania.
“Massive thank you for all your messages for myself mum @WeAreGodolphin we are totally heartbroken BUT @WeAreGodolphin will be back stronger 💙⚽️💙⚽️”
LEAGUE STATEMENT:
The league board were saddened to receive notification from Godolphin Atlantic today that they have disbanded their last remaining team, the Premier West side (they had already withdrawn their Reserves earlier in the season). The club cites issues with finance and volunteers and they are releasing their own statement.
The league board recognise these difficult times for clubs with the rising costs and are sorry to see the club go, however stats including league tables and forthcoming fixtures will be re-worked over the coming days.
The club was formed as Godolphin Atlantic in 1980 at the Godolphin Arms pub in Newquay, going on to join Division Three of the Duchy League and the 1981–82 season saw them win the League Cup and gain promotion to Division Two. They were promoted to Division One at the end of the 1992–93 season and then to the Premier Division in 1996. In 1999–2000 the club won the Knock-Out Cup for a second time. The 2004–05 season saw them win the league’s Knock-Out Cup and the Junior Cup, and after finishing as Premier Division runners-up, they were promoted to the East Cornwall League.
Godolphin ended up in third place for their first season in the East Cornwall League, also winning the League Cup. The league split into two at the end of the season, with the club placed in the Premier Division. They won the League Cup again in 2007–08, and after finishing as runners-up in 2007–08, they were promoted to joined Division One West of the South West Peninsula League. They were runners-up in 2010–11 and won the division in 2012–13, earning promotion to the Premier Division, where they joined their local rivals Newquay. In 2014–15 they won the League Cup. Following league reorganisation at the end of the 2018–19 season, the club were placed in the Premier Division West, at which point they were also renamed Godolphin Atlantic (Newquay).
On 3 January 2023 the club announced that they had folded due to financial issues and volunteers.
Honours
South West Peninsula League
Division One West champions 2012–13
League Cup winners 2014–15
East Cornwall League
League Cup winners 2005–06, 2006–07
Duchy League
Knockout Cup winners 1999–2000, 2004–05
League Cup winners 1981–82
Cornwall Junior Cup
Winners 2004–05
This is what fans had to say as the much loved non league club resign from the division and disband with immediate effect…
@BudeFc: Very sad to see happen. Must be really hard for their committee members and players who stayed to try and keep the club going. 😞💙
@NAFC_Supporters: Gutted for all those involved with the club, the town won’t be the same.
@ibcoaching4: Very sad to read this, enjoyed my time at the club particularly the double with the 2nds.
@PirloOctavius: Sad day, you’re one the finest people I’ve met in the football circle and in general. You’ve worked wonders there, best of luck. I’ll drop by soon and have beer.
@nathanhirst1986: I’m a yearly visitor of Cornwall, and while I do generally follow @newquay_afc , it’s sad to see another non-league team go to the wall. I’ve lost all love for the big leagues and now follow my local non-league team @Wakefield_AFC . More support is needed at this level.
@PaulRodgersNTO: That’s a real shame. I visited with @dunnoguv and thoroughly enjoyed it. Football needs characters like @SemmensTania. Unfortunately living in Kent meant I couldn’t just pop back again. Best wishes for the future.
@KevinMi05755252: That’s such a shame as it’s a club that a few years ago were very competitive in the league and played lovely football, I’m sure Boxing Day won’t be the same for Newquay FC. Sad times.
@TheBridger1894: So sorry to hear this Tania and sending our very best wishes to everyone involved as you have done a fantastic job taking the Club on a journey you should all be very proud of.
@mikepearce25: Have very good memories playing for the G Tan, a great club, will be a huge loss to the town and the league, 🤞 you will be back x
@DaveRBRN: Tania it was always a pleasure to visit Godolphin both as a spectator and as a Match Official. This is by no means an easy decision for you and we all know that. We hope to see you back in football soon. A sad day for Cornish Football…. However, have a break now for a bit
@jazzie9: Such a shame, we used to love playing goldolphin back when they played duchy league football. Spent 90 mins chasing Lee Paxton around and then back to the pub to stay the night for a tenner. Great club, great landlady 😁
@YeoBradley1: Sorry to here this Tania, a decision you obviously haven’t taken lightly, be proud of what you have done for the club & take some time for yourself. Best Wishes
@Matt_Hayden1: Always a shame to see a club fold… all the best with everything in the future
@BowkerStu: That is a real shame a really competitive club just a few years back and really tough place to come and get a result shame no one could come in and turn things around
@Gellyfour: Devastating news for all concerned, especially @SemmensTania and Margaret. You’ve lived the dream for a “small club” and became a big one, what a journey! Here’s hoping you can have a break, reset and start again – we’d love to host you again at Polperro in the future!
@RJSHALL: This is horrendous news for the club and for local football. A fantastic club and one which will be sorely missed from the SWPL! Gutted for you, but you’ll be back, bigger and stronger 💪
@Jamesch05602489: Hi Tania. So sorry to read this! You and the club have been a credit to Cornish football and you can look back at some truly amazing achievements with pride. I will always be available to assist if you in the future decide to start again. Take care Chappers
@KJMsport57: So sad to hear this news Tania. I know how hard you have worked to try to keep a good club going. Thank you for all your help and support over the years. @WeAreGodolphin
@Omodon: Very sad news, Reffed you lot a good few times, nice to wander out of my back gate and watch some terrific local football, saved us money on our electric bill when the floodlights came on, hopefully Muff & Tan will be back soon with The G Army… 💙
@darrengay1: Such sad news , as an official was made very welcome by the club and enjoyed going there. Tania done a very good job for the club as all the others officials of the club.
@FCBodminTown: thoughts with you and everyone at the club, we’ve had some great battles over the years. Hope to see @WeAreGodolphin return in the near future.
@Sportitout23: Sadly another Cornish sports club bites the dust. Why does this happen? Presumably a lack of players? This is our national sport, why are people not playing? Why have commitment levels changed? What do people do on a Saturday afternoon now that they didn’t used to?
@WimborneMassive: This is absolutely terrible news! We had one of our best ever pre season trips when we came and played you a couple of seasons ago, a trip we will never ever forget and it was also a very good game! We are so sorry to hear this guys. Sending our love @WeAreGodolphin ❤
This is so so sad, always loved watching the G on our yearly holiday in Newquay – had plenty of good memories there, including this season! 😢 https://t.co/M0y338a9YA pic.twitter.com/b0135rKPum
— Max (@Mgp2706) January 3, 2023
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