Southern League club say it’s unsustainable for them to operate next season

Southern League Premier Division South club Walton Casuals say it’s unsustainable for them to operate next season (2022/23).

Directors of the 7th tier outfit are now forced with ‘exploring potential acquisition approaches’ with it’s future under threat.

They finished the 2021/22 campaign in 11th place, taking 58 points from 42 games played, got to the second qualifying of the FA Cup (lost to Hampton & Richmond) and the first round of the FA Trophy (lost to Uxbridge).

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CLUB STATEMENT:

Walton Casuals Football Club achieved its best position in the EFL Pyramid (Southern Premier South) in Season 2021/22.

However, the backdrop to this success has been one of incredible challenges on the pitch – matched only by challenges off the pitch. It has therefore been very difficult to decide the future direction of the Club – whether this is to be to continue the Club under current Management, offer the Club for Acquisition or to close the Club.

All Clubs rely on the support of individuals, company’s, volunteers and the local authority – and especially the amazing fans and sponsors. The generosity and commitment of all those associated with the Club has made this season’s achievements all the more special.

But the recent, current and foreseeable stresses that will be placed on all those inputs (time and financial) has made it clear that despite careful stewardship by the current management the ability to continue operating the Club into next season appears unsustainable.

Therefore, the Club is exploring potential Acquisition approaches – before deciding the ultimate future of the Club.

We know this will come as a huge disappointment to our fans and staff – indeed to our friends and colleagues across the League and beyond – but after exploring the limited options available – Acquisition or Managed Closure are the likely outcomes that the Club’s Board have to consider.
We will follow up with an Official Statement in the very near future with that decision – but in the meantime the Board would like again to thank everyone involved in the Club over the years and wish everyone good luck in the future.

The Club can be contacted through the email address above in the next 5 days if you have any queries regarding this statement. Yours sincerely WCFC Board of Directors

WALTON CASUALS LIST OF SEASONS

SEASON    LEAGUE     P    W    D    L    F    A    P      POS

1992-93   SUR CP    30   10    3   17   48   74   33     12/16
1993-94   SUR CP    24   11    3   10   42   46   36      5/13
1994-95   SUR CP    32   21    8    3   87   35   71      2/17
1995-96   COM CO    42   10    8   24   46   67   38     20/22
1996-97   COM CO    38    9    4   25   47   90   31     20/20
1997-98   COM CO    38    8   10   20   45   84   34     18/20
1998-99   COM CO    40    9    6   25   60   88   33     17/21
1999-00   COM CO    40   20   10   10   80   64   73 *    5/21
2000-01   COM CO    40   19    5   16   73   68   62      7/21
2001-02   COM CO    42   20    7   15   88   63   67      9/22
2002-03   COM CO    46   12   10   24   60   95   46     18/24
2003-04   COM CO-P  46   25    9   12  112   64   84      7/24
2004-05   COM CO-P  46   38    4    4  134   35  118      1/24
2005-06   ISTH-1    44   16   10   18   68   75   58     15/23
2006-07   ISTH-1S   42   11   13   18   57   71   46     17/22
2007-08   ISTH-1S   42   11   15   16   55   68   48     16/22
2008-09   ISTH-1S   42   12    8   22   43   60   44     17/22
2009-10   ISTH-1S   42    8   10   24   41   66   34     21/22
2010-11   ISTH-1S   42   15    8   19   65   71   53     12/22
2011-12   ISTH-1S   40   12    6   22   51   74   42     15/21
2012-13   ISTH-1S   42    9   10   23   50   90   37     22/22
2013-14   ISTH-1S   46   22    4   20   90   94   70      9/24
2014-15   ISTH-1S   46   16    5   25   62   94   53     18/24
2015-16   ISTH-1S   46   18    6   22   74   85   60     16/24
2016-17   ISTH-1S   46   19    8   19   98   99   65     13/24
2017-18   ISTH-1S   46   25   11   10   98   52   86      6/24
2018-19   SOUTH-PS  42   14    9   19   69   78   51     17/22
2019-20   SOUTH-PS  33    7    6   20   40   71   27     ABAND
2020-21   SOUTH-PS   6    2    1    3    8   13    7     ABAND
2021-22   SOUTH-PS  42   16   10   16   53   61   58     11/22

As the Southern League club say it’s unsustainable for them to operate next season, social media reacted…

@HarryTheHammer_: Isn’t Tony Gale involved with them?

@Waltoncasualsf: god I hope this gets fixed 🧡🖤

@torpointboy: Decent side last term, seems funny when you have teams spend a 1000 pounds a game on a midfielder in the same league, but one team can’t afford to run

@brightonrebel: This is a real shame, but is two clubs in Walton too much?

@jay37592284: What a shame

@JurgLFC: How does it suddenly become unsustainable to operate a football club? 🤔

@tivertontownfc: I’m sure all clubs in the league can agree we want to see this resolved as quickly as possible and to see you guys kicking on for next season 🙏💛

@savegrassroots: #Savegrassrootsfooty

@WaltonCasualsBr: 😔😔

@JohnMar84959480: Never thought as a local Walton resident we would lose such a massive key club for the local community 🧡 love Walton casuals and all that help their, please some help them we need them in local community

@abale2004: Walton casuals in the mud Wtf

@ChoirboyDave: Don’t think it helps with their home ground. As a @PooleTownFC fan, enjoyed my 3 visits there. Don’t know who gets the bar takings matchday or how they can make any income running other events. Same goes for the other club using it @waltonhershamfc.

@scoutbristol: Huge shame to be in this position, wishing you the very best outcome 🙏

@NathanFlipEvans: Hope something works out for them, great little club. We had a boat trip down the Thames to the game when we played them away watching Merthyr

@DannySherms: If there was ever an opportunity for me to take over a club like I dreamed, this would be this. But I also know how irresponsible even attempting something without the support and preparation needed. Hopefully someone can help this club. 🧡 Perhaps a merger with @waltonhershamfc

@followtrawler: Setting issues with certain individuals aside, I don’t want to see our rivals go to the wall. I genuinely hope something can be sorted…

@WillB_2003: Two clubs in a town like Walton was always going to be a struggle, especially when they’re only a division apart. A merger would make sense but Walton and Hersham are in such a strong position atm

@footymum73: Wow! This is unexpected news today, hope something can be sorted out 🤞🏼

@Cymrugroundhop1: Never good to read statements like this. We currently live in a climate of uncertainty all across the football structure. Hopefully a successful outcome will prevail 🤞 Nadia

@RealTomH: Sorry to read this

@BeerBollox: Probably needed advise your team management of your financial position. Only recently they made an offer to double a player from anther @SouthernLeague1 club pay if he joined for next season.