Wednesday 10th February

 

We have been informed of the withdrawal of Harwich & Parkeston Football Club from the Premier Division of the Ridgeons Football League with immediate effect.   The following is an extract from the mail received from Harwich secretary, Andy Schooler:   "It is with the utmost regret that, following decisions made at a meeting
this evening (Tuesday 9th February) Harwich & Parkeston gives notice of its
immediate withdrawal from the Ridgeons League Premier Division.

With our long history and as one of the founder members of the Eastern
Counties League, this was not a decision that was taken lightly but, at
present, our town cannot support semi professional football as shown by our
woeful record over the past five years.

Whilst an agreement in principle remains with a Development Company, the
prospects of a new ground, which seemed so close just two years ago, is now
a long way off.  The Club intends to continue by playing in the Essex &
Suffolk Border League next season with a view to rebuilding and, hopefully,
a  return to Senior Football as soon as possible.

In order to ensure a measure of continuity, we would ask that our Reserve
side be allowed to continue and complete its fixtures for this season.  This
would be on the strict understanding that there will be no application by
the Club to compete in the Ridgeons League next season at any level.

I would like to stress that the Club is not any financial difficulty  -  we
have no outstanding bills;  we just do not have the money to pay players to
compete at this level."   It is intended that permission be granted for Harwich & Parkeston Reserves to complete the season's fixtures in the Ridgeons Reserve Division.  

Kind Regards

Nigel Spurling

Secretary Ridgeons Football League