Champions Farndon United resign after opening day defeat

Last season's champions Farndon United have pulled out of the Newark Alliance after just one game of the new season.

The club are taking their team out of the Premier Division, but keeping their reserve team in Division One.

This is the second time in successive seasons that the previous season's champions have pulled out early in the campaign, following the early resignation of Bilsthorpe last season.

Former manager Andy Duckmanton, said the main reason the decision had been made was the lack of interest at the start of the season.

"It's been one of those things that has been coming over the past couple of seasons. Even last year when we won the league and Notts Cup there were still matches when we only had 12 players," he said.

"Paul Cosgrove, who had been helping to run the side, couldn't commit to Sundays any more and there were also a number of players who left.

"We made the decision to strip the club back, and give the players who are remaining the best chance to succeed in Division One."

Duckmanton, who managed the side for 13 seasons, said that while he wasn't overly disappointed, there was a tinge of sadness to the decision.

"At the end my motivation wasn't what it had been, and I was often asking myself why I was bothering," he said.

"The club has given me a lot of happy memories over the years. Winning the treble in 2006 was really good at the time.

"Dave Bennett also left as chairman after about 40 years involved at the club, and it hadn't felt the same this time around."

The result means Wheatsheaf United lose the three points gained from their opening 9-2 victory, and the league moves down to nine teams.