Walton Casuals’ demise sees two clubs reprieved and one promoted

Walton Casuals’ sad and unfortunate demise sees two non league clubs reprieved and one promoted in a change to the 2022/23 line-up.

The vacancies as a result of Walton Casuals’ folding and stepping down from Step 3 have now been filled as follows:

Step 3 – Merthyr Town reprieved, Step 4 – Cinderford Town reprieved, Step 5 – Worcester Raiders promoted from Step 6.

Step 3 – @MerthyrTownFC reprieved
Step 4 – @Cinderford_Town reprieved
Step 5 – @WorcsRaidersFC promoted

No transfers needed

3 vacancies at Step 6

— Non League Maps (@NonLeagueMaps) June 10, 2022

WALTON CASUALS STATEMENT:

Dear All,

Following the announcement by WCFC on the 10th May 2022 that the Club were having to explore the future of the Club – the process to identify new owners and/or investors has sadly been unsuccessful. Therefore, the Club has decided that it will now follow a process of managed closure.

This decision has been very difficult and we are sure will come as a huge shock and disappointment to the Club’s Staff, Volunteers, Fans and all the relationships and associations that the Club has built-up over many years.

During this process the Board were determined to ensure that (at either the point of Acquisition or in the event of closure) the Club would be left in a position with no liabilities or indebtedness. This has been achieved and despite the anguish that closure will inevitably cause – the Club leaves with honour and pride in what it has achieved and with the many wonderful memories.

The Board will now progress the managed Closure of WCFC – but would like to again thank everyone for their extraordinary support over many years and their patience and understanding during this recent period.

Kind Regards

The Board of Directors Walton Casuals Football Club

SOUTHERN LEAGUE STATEMENT:

Following the very sad announcement of the closure of Walton Casuals, the Pitching In Southern Football League has announced a new constitution.

PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Alvechurch
Barwell
Basford United
Bedford Town
Bromsgrove Sporting
Coalville Town
Hednesford Town
Hitchin Town
Ilkeston Town
Kings Langley
Leiston
Mickleover
Needham Market
Nuneaton Borough
Redditch United
Royston Town
Rushall Olympic
St Ives Town
Stourbridge
Stratford Town
Tamworth

PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

Beaconsfield Town
Bracknell Town
Chesham United
Dorchester Town
Gosport Borough
Hanwell Town
Harrow Borough
Hartley Wintney
Hayes & Yeading United
Hendon
Merthyr Town
Metropolitan Police
North Leigh
Plymouth Parkway
Poole Town
Salisbury
Swindon Supermarine
Tiverton Town
Truro City
Weston-super-Mare
Winchester City
Yate Town

DIVISION ONE CENTRAL

AFC Dunstable
Aylesbury United
Barton Rovers
Berkhamsted
Biggleswade FC
Biggleswade Town
Cirencester Town
Didcot Town
FC Romania
Hadley
Harlow Town
Hertford Town
Highworth Town
Kempston Rovers
Kidlington
Thame United
Waltham Abbey
Walthamstow
Ware
Welwyn Garden City

DIVISION ONE SOUTH

AFC Totton
Bashley
Bideford AFC
Bishops Cleeve
Bristol Manor Farm
Cinderford Town
Evesham United
Exmouth Town
Frome Town
Hamworthy United
Larkhall Athletic
Lymington Town
Melksham Town
Paulton Rovers
Sholing
Slimbridge
Tavistock AFC
Westbury United
Willand Rovers
Wimborne Town

Worcester Raiders can confirm that the club has been promoted to Step 5 following the withdrawal of Walton Casuals from the Southern League South Premier Division.

Worcester Raiders will now play in the uhlSport Hellenic League Premier Division, having been the losing playoff runner up.

Fans reacted as Walton Casuals’ demise sees two clubs reprieved and one promoted…

@HarryDuncan13 (Replying to @WorcsRaidersFC): How much did this cost the club 🤣

@leewalkinshaw17 (Replying to @WorcsRaidersFC): Gutted was looking forward to playing at your ground with my Southam boys 😂😂

@brenckelly (Replying to @WorcsRaidersFC): Same level as City already! fair play guys

@btljs (Replying to @WorcsRaidersFC): Brilliant news.

@JoProtherough (Replying to @WorcsRaidersFC): Congratulations! Now the hard work starts…

@Alexander_S_R: This is a strange one. Raiders and City 3 miles apart but competing in different step 5 leagues. If you travelled from Worcester City’s base to each of their fixtures you would have to pretty much pass Raider’s home ground almost every time.

@chriscornes10: Buzzing for @karl_gormley. All his hard work and commitment to Raiders over the years has been unbelievable. Before the takeover, things weren’t always as easy. Lots of ups and downs but his dedication to the club never wavered one bit. Well done brother. 👏🏻

@jordimulvany26 (Replying to @WorcsRaidersFC): Money Talks 🤣🙄

@JohnEPoulter (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): As a ex-Casuals fan, it couldn’t happen to a nicer club.

@Wohnjilliams (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): I knew we’d stay up!

@IANSOUTHARD (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): This is good news yes? Up the town!

@Mattdrisc (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): Well done @craigreddy, looks like you kept them up 😂⚽️

@stevesanderstax (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): Gutted to see the demise of my lovely local club. But I’m sure all Stags fans would agree that if we could choose a club to benefit from this, we’re delighted its you. It was always a pleasure to see you guys. And it was great for the bar takings. 🤣 Best of luck next season. 👍

@SwGroundhopper (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): On the one hand I’m absolutely delighted to see Merthyr playing at step 3 again next season but on a selfish note I’m a bit sad that I’ll miss out on the four games in Devon for them plus the trip with Tavistock. Good luck next season guys, I’ll see you at some point I’m sure.

@luketuffs: How is this right? We finished outside our automatic relegation spots and finished above Merthyr. We went down as our PPG was 1 below Kings Langley, also in their League. @fa @SouthernLeague1 are you sure??

@pinguandy (Replying to @MerthyrTownFC): Don’t you know pump it up. The Town are staying up! UTFT ✊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚽🍻🎂🥳🎉