LEDBURY Town have withdrawn from the West Midlands Football League.

The New Street club were at the foot of the Division One table without a point from seven matches.

“There was no single reason behind the withdrawal,” said the club’s football co-ordinator Paul Mann.

“The appointment of a new management team (Pete Boyle and Zac Blood) at the start of the season was a bold step but it did mean that some of the existing players moved on.

“New young players came in but from out of Ledbury. Everyone was working hard but the results were not favourable.”

Finances had also played a part with the last two home matches bringing a loss of around £200.

“We sat down a couple of weeks ago and said that we would keep an eye on the situation,” said former manager Mann.

“But results didn’t look likely to improve and we had been struggling to raise a side for last weekend’s match which, if we had called it off, would have brought a fine.

“The withdrawal was a case of discretion being the better part of valour — we considered it fairer to everyone to withdraw now.

“We could have tried to struggle on to the end of the year and to withdraw now could bring a fine of up to £1,500.”

Mann is now drawing up a five-year strategic plan for the club.

“This will take into account the football and the social club and we shall have to stick to it,” he said. “We have started a colts side and our reserve side are doing well with the aim of getting back to the Premier Division of the Herefordshire League.”

A club statement added: “The club is currently in the process of drawing up a strategic five-year plan for the future based around developing and retaining young, local talent.

“The seeds have already been sown with the introduction of the newly formed Ledbury Colts thirds side, who have been formed from the Cradley Sports under 18s team.

“The colts have now started their campaign in Division Three of the Herefordshire League.

“High-flying Ledbury Town Reserves continue to seek promotion to the Premier Division of the same league.

“The club still very much looks forward to a new and brighter future as it seeks to make the changes and develop the talent needed in order to stage a confident return to the West Midlands League over the coming years.”