Ashburton have gone from the South Devon League.

Sidlesham have announced that they have resigned from the Southern Combination with immediate effect.

"It is with much sadness and regret that as with immediate effect, Sidlesham First Team have withdrawn from the SCFL. The local parish council have cancelled our current agreement for use of the pitch. Negotiations are ongoing for a new agreement, but at this present time the club is unable to operate at county level. The current uncertainty surrounding the club has made it impossible to recruit new, or now retain existing players to compete at the level required. Our West Sussex team will continue playing with the hope that a suitable agreement can be reached with the council.
Sidlesham FC won’t be commenting further at this time."

The council issued a statement to the Observer which said: "Sidlesham Parish Council, owners of the Memorial Playing, Field is keen to develop the use of the facility as a community sports and recreation centre.

"In order to progress this development, the Parish Council needs the flexibility to attract other users and grant funding bodies. The Parish Council therefore terminated the existing open ended arrangement with Sidlesham Football Club and offered the club the opportunity to continue to use the pitch under an annually reviewed agreement.

"Sidlesham Football Club advised the Parish Council that this short term contract was not acceptable under football league rules.

"At the 18 September Parish Council meeting, attended by officials of the club, it was agreed that the Parish Council would work with Sidlesham Football Club and the Football League to find a mutually acceptable form of words to resolve the issue.

"The Parish Council Chairman contacted the League as agreed and has been advised that Sidlesham Football Club has already resigned from the League. The Parish Council is disappointed that the Football Club has made this decision."

Right...so basically Sidlesham have overreacted? Thrown their toys out of the pram and resigned just like that with no warning and no real desire to fight to stay at Step 6.


I wish them continued existence, but if the above is true, lets hope they aren't allowed back at Step 6 (or "County Level" as they like to think of it) level any time soon. As I say they're are clubs up and down the country that would give their right arm to be in Sidlesham's shoes, with a ground they can call home and a division with vacancies that repeatedly means relegation is no threat. Some have fought appeals to retain places at Step 6, some have been fighting on the pitch to get up season after season. And then there's clubs like Sidlesham who just throw it all the way because they're a bit irked by their local council, and feel like throwing a paddy!

Right...so basically Sidlesham have overreacted? Thrown their toys out of the pram and resigned just like that with no warning and no real desire to fight to stay at Step 6.


I wish them continued existence, but if the above is true, lets hope they aren't allowed back at Step 6 (or "County Level" as they like to think of it) level any time soon. As I say they're are clubs up and down the country that would give their right arm to be in Sidlesham's shoes, with a ground they can call home and a division with vacancies that repeatedly means relegation is no threat. Some have fought appeals to retain places at Step 6, some have been fighting on the pitch to get up season after season. And then there's clubs like Sidlesham who just throw it all the way because they're a bit irked by their local council, and feel like throwing a paddy!