Farsley Celtic Football Club have today been relegated three divisions – and will next season play their games in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
The news came as the Football Association’s non-league allocations from National League North and South downwards were released this lunchtime.
The Celts finished bottom of National League North after a tumultuous season which saw them play every game away from home following failed attempts to install a new 4G playing surface at their home ground.
Many of the club’s home games were played over 70 miles away in Buxton, West Derbyshire, leading to a supporters’ club boycott for part of the season.
The club’s instability led to the departure of much of its first team squad, with a miserable season featuring four managers, seven goalkeepers and using more than 40 players, including youngsters from the club’s emerging talent squad.
Owner Paul Barthorpe departed as chairman and director of the football club (FC 2010 Ltd) in February. He still owns the ground via the FC2010 Holdings company.
In a statement issued today, the club’s directors confirmed the club has failed to gain a Step 1 to Step 4 licence – and that debts have continued to mount.
The directors – Paul Glover, Josh Greaves, John Stubbs and Jon Wickham – said: “As a board we recognise this will be as disappointing for our fans as it is for us. It’s not what we wanted.
“But sometimes you need to take a step backwards in order to move forwards, and pragmatically we believe this move to be necessary to protect the long-term financial future of our club.
“The debts facing the club have continued to mount in recent weeks.
“We are in a situation where we have to be pragmatic. NCEL offers us significantly lower travelling costs and running costs as we seek to stabilise the club.
“Our funding bid for a new grass pitch will be decided by the Football Foundation next month, while a ground share for the start of next season is almost agreed, and we are still working on securing a lease for the ground.”
The club added: “While we could have appealed against this decision, the long-term future of the club remains our priority and a lot of work is being put in by the board and others to ensure Farsley continues to have a semi professional football club.
“The long-term future of our first team, deaf, junior and women’s sides continues to be our priority.”
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Once again, while they continue to discuss the financial difficulties at the club, wages are still being withheld against the judgement of the courts.
Pay up!