Post by Dave on Dec 17, 2014 15:03:22 GMT
Sad news today that Watts Blake Bearne have folded and pulled out of the South Devon League.
Read the full story below
ONE of the most recognisable names in South Devon football, Watts Blake Bearne, has withdrawn from the South Devon League after an emergency meeting at the Kingsteignton-based club last night.
The team, who had won just three points from nine game this season, were unable to fulfill their Premier Division fixture against Waldon Athletic on Saturday – and the decision was made to pull the team out immediately.
Formed in 1965, as the works team of the clay company Watts, Blake & Bearne (the club dropped the comas and & only recently) WBB originally played at Heathfield before moving to the former home of Kingsteignton Athletic in the early 1970s.
WBB finally ended up at its most recent home in 1993.But the sale of the company and the closing of its social club at Abbrook Park in March 2012 meant a cut in ties from the team’s roots and the beginning of its slow decline.
The secretary, Martin Hoare, said: “We were forced to withdraw our reserve team in August and I am afraid to say that our situation has since deteriorated to a point where we are unable to raise a side to complete our fixtures.
“Nobody is more disappointed in this situation than Guy Fawden, Barrie Hodge and myself and you can be assured the decision was not taken lightly.
“We have explored all avenues to keep the club going, though with a lack of committed players we can do no more.
“The club has been a large part of our lives for many years and we are extremely disappointed and upset to have had to make this decision however we have been left with no choice.
“We apologise both personally and on behalf of Watts Blake Bearne AFC to the Devon Football Association, the South Devon league and it officers and fellow member club.”
Peter Alsop, the secretary of the League, told Herald Express Sport: "A number of clubs are struggling to raise sides each week or to find willing volunteers to help.
"The League has lost two divisions over the last couple of seasons or so, possibly due to the rise of small-sided football played in the evenings or on Sundays.
"This is having a knock-on effect on Saturday football. Live televised games on Saturdays are another reason why players have stopped playing.
"Let's hope it is a temporary blip and WBB will rise again."
Read more: www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/SOUTH-DEVON-LEAGUE-Watts-Blake-Bearne-withdraw/story-25727792-detail/story.html#ixzz3MASHaHE8
Follow us: @tqheraldexpress on Twitter | theheraldexpress on Facebook
Read the full story below
ONE of the most recognisable names in South Devon football, Watts Blake Bearne, has withdrawn from the South Devon League after an emergency meeting at the Kingsteignton-based club last night.
The team, who had won just three points from nine game this season, were unable to fulfill their Premier Division fixture against Waldon Athletic on Saturday – and the decision was made to pull the team out immediately.
Formed in 1965, as the works team of the clay company Watts, Blake & Bearne (the club dropped the comas and & only recently) WBB originally played at Heathfield before moving to the former home of Kingsteignton Athletic in the early 1970s.
WBB finally ended up at its most recent home in 1993.But the sale of the company and the closing of its social club at Abbrook Park in March 2012 meant a cut in ties from the team’s roots and the beginning of its slow decline.
The secretary, Martin Hoare, said: “We were forced to withdraw our reserve team in August and I am afraid to say that our situation has since deteriorated to a point where we are unable to raise a side to complete our fixtures.
“Nobody is more disappointed in this situation than Guy Fawden, Barrie Hodge and myself and you can be assured the decision was not taken lightly.
“We have explored all avenues to keep the club going, though with a lack of committed players we can do no more.
“The club has been a large part of our lives for many years and we are extremely disappointed and upset to have had to make this decision however we have been left with no choice.
“We apologise both personally and on behalf of Watts Blake Bearne AFC to the Devon Football Association, the South Devon league and it officers and fellow member club.”
Peter Alsop, the secretary of the League, told Herald Express Sport: "A number of clubs are struggling to raise sides each week or to find willing volunteers to help.
"The League has lost two divisions over the last couple of seasons or so, possibly due to the rise of small-sided football played in the evenings or on Sundays.
"This is having a knock-on effect on Saturday football. Live televised games on Saturdays are another reason why players have stopped playing.
"Let's hope it is a temporary blip and WBB will rise again."
Read more: www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/SOUTH-DEVON-LEAGUE-Watts-Blake-Bearne-withdraw/story-25727792-detail/story.html#ixzz3MASHaHE8
Follow us: @tqheraldexpress on Twitter | theheraldexpress on Facebook