SOUTH Normanton Athletic's NCEL Premier Division visit to Nostell MW tomorrow will be the club's last ever match, unless new people can be found to run the club.
The Shiners issued a statement earlier in the season announcing that they would fold unless new people came on board to replace the current aging committee, who were to step down at the end of the season.
To date no-one has come forward, and the S
hiners, who tendered their provisional resignation from the league in December, have now set a deadline of 31st May for anyone to come forward and take the club on.
A statement issued by the club on Monday of this week reads as follows:
"South Normanton Athletic have announced today that if no prospective people come forward to take over the club by 31st May 2008 then the club will fold after 28 years.
"Club spokesman Peter Kane stated earlier this year that the committee reluctantly decided that through ill health and the age of the current committee members, it would be impossible to run the club for a further season.
"We made an appeal for anyone who may be interested in taking the club forward to get in touch, but alas no one came."
On a personal note Mr Kane added: "It is a very sad day for me as I was one of the founders of the club back in 1980.
"But 28 years is enough for anyone to help run local football, and although I've not been alone, most of the committee are in their late 60s and early 70s, most have been here over 20 years.
"What is more frustrating is that the club, currently in Step 5 of the FA's National Leagues System, has a 30-year lease on its ground at Lees Lane, has passed the current ground grading requirements, and has a four figure sum in sponsorship in place for next season.
"We feel bitterly disappointed that for many years we have striven to put South Normanton on the national football map, with very little or no help from the council, nor from the big companies that surround our village.
"We would like to go on record that we owe a big debt of gratitude to our two managers Glynn Stacey and Mark Harvey.
"They are, in our opinion, the best two managers we have had at this club, and with the right backing these lads could go far in football."
The situation is similar to that of Staveley MW last season, but the Inkersall Road club were ultimately successful in their appeal, and Shiners officials hope that their 11th hour plea will bring a similar outcome.
As a last ditch appeal Mr Kane again asks whether there is anyone able and willing to come in and accept the legal responsibilities of running the club next season, and invites them to get in touch.
A few committee members have stated that they will stay and help on the ground improvements should a new consortium be found.
Anyone able and willing to rescue the club should contact Mr Kane on 07984 933960, or secretary/chairman Colin Price on 01773 862126/07976 621614.
The full article contains 536 words and appears in Alfreton Chad newspaper.
