Ninth tier club Peterborough Northern Star withdraw from their league and fold with immediate effect, and it’s left many saddened.
They have left the United Counties Premier South – Step 5 of Non League – and had picked up just seven points from 20 games played.
The side have also had to pull their reserve team out of the Peterborough League First Division with two club statement being issued since the initial rumours came out.
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Peterborough Northern Star said this week: It is with great regret that Peterborough Northern Star FC can confirm rumours that all senior teams within the club are to fold with immediate effect.
To further this our youth teams will be vacating our home at the Focus Centre, Chestnut Avenue of which the club has occupied for several years.
It is the clubs intention to maintain and develop the youth teams and hope to be relocated to an alternative home ground in due course, as advised by Peterborough District Council on previous occasions.
Sadly, these decisions have been forced upon us due to a fragmented relationship with the leaseholders of the Focus Centre, Chestnut Avenue
Unfortunately, the leaseholders, served Peterborough Northern Star FC an eviction notice which was set to be actioned at the end of the season and since has been advised the eviction is from immediate effect. (The club are yet to receive this officially in writing)
Due to this the club are unable to obtain suitable sponsorship and cannot sustain the financial investment required to hold a UCL team, the highest-ranking team in Peterborough behind POSH.
Club Officials are appalled that the concerns raised 18 months ago in relation to the leaseholders were dismissed by the local authorities and saw them obtain 55 year lease.
This is now the fourth time Peterborough Northern Star FC have been served notice without any sustainable reason as to why and or without any thought to the community that is Peterborough Northern Star FC.
It is disappointing that these events have occurred and that those that are supposed to represent the community are prepared to accept a club, a community of over 300 people with a long history, diminish at the expense of the leaseholder’s conflicted interests.
Club officials remain committed to the PNSFC community and the current priority is to ensure our youth teams can fulfil fixtures for this weekend and the remaining season, with a view to rebuilding the club.
A “Save Our Home, Leaseholders Out” Protest is being discussed among the community. Please share and show your support!
Following on from the club announcing the withdrawal of our senior teams form their leagues, club officials have been in positive discussions with the local authorities to secure the clubs youth football after being evicted from their home at the Focus Centre, Chestnut Avenue.
Club officials would like to make it clear that they are 100% committed to the youth teams of the club now and for the future.
Temporarily home fixtures will have to be re-located whilst a long term solution is addressed with the local authority to find a new home ground.
A club member pleaded with the leaseholders via email yesterday to put aside the disputes of adults and allow the temporary continuation of youth football at the Focus Centre only to be categorically advised “The answer, simply, is no. The tenancy has been terminated” sadly these are the type of people that are in a position of power and supposedly represent the Peterborough Community.
With this behavior in mind Peterborough Northern Star would also like to thank the people of the Peterborough District and local football clubs for their overwhelming support in accommodating the youth football, where the leaseholders of the Focus Centre refuse, it just goes to show the community spirit and the welfare of children is above all the number one priority to responsible members of the community.
“Save our home, leaseholders out” is becoming a strong topic among the community.
Watch this space PNSFC will rise again, thanks to the support of the people and clubs in the area.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Honours
- United Counties Football League Division One
- Champions 2019-20
- Runners-up 2007–08, 2009–10
- United Counties Football League KO Cup
- Winners 2010-11
- Les Underwood Junior Cup
- Winners 2010-11
- Hinchingbrooke Cup
- Winners 2009-10, 2014–15
Records
- FA Cup
- 1st Qualifying Round 2012-13 (vs St Neots Town (a) 5-0)
- FA Vase
- Quarter-finals 2011–12 (vs Dunston UTS (h) 3-4)
- United Counties League Premier Division
- 2010-11 (6th place)
- Biggest Home Win
- 9-0 vs Daventry United, 26 April 2008: United Counties League Division One
- 9-0 vs Sleaford Town, 23 September 2014: United Counties League Division One
- Biggest Away Win
- 0-8 vs Burton Park Wanderers, 11 February 2016: United Counties League Division One
- Biggest Home Defeat
- 0-9 vs Peterborough Sports, 17 September 2019: Northants Hillier Cup First Round
- Biggest Away Defeat
- 7-0 vs Kings Lynn Town, 27 March 2012: United Counties League KO Cup
- Record Attendance
- 597 vs Dunston UTS, 3 March 2012: FA Vase Quarter-finals
Twitter users reacted as the ninth tier club withdraw from their league and fold with immediate effect…
@FansWakes: Not good news for local football
@AdamHenderson02: Really sad and hope something can be done to save them. It is not only the adults team at risk if the club completely folds, but they have many junior teams as well as a ladies team.
@bostontownfc: Such a shame to hear this. All the best to everyone at PNS
@mrcrh11: Presume they will get a four figure fine, not often you see teams pulling out this time year
@waynehough13: really sad to hear news like this. been to their ground a couple of times as an away fan with Rugby Town, most recently only earlier this month. hopefully they can keep the junior clubs going and find themselves a new home in the near future
@Reeabs: It is always a sad day when a club folds. I hope that all players and staff can find new homes to go to.
@gerardevans89: Sad news about @PNSFC_official! Grassroots football seems to be going down the pan big time in the Peterborough area. Teams struggling to get players, FA struggling to get enough ref’s. Sadly local football is now what it used to be
@Dazzla84_SSFC: Always so sad to see local clubs go to the wall, This lot I remember seeing had a canny good FA Vase run a few years back 😢😢
@boffski: Such a poor statement to read, hope the players find clubs to continue their playing careers
Tony Daley: I think you’ll find Peterborough Sports are the highest ranking football side after Posh
John Buckland: Should let the youth and junior teams use it till the end of the season
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