An Isle of Wight football club with a history dating back 115 years has confirmed that it has folded and will not return, with concerns raised over the future of Island football.
After being founded in 1907, Yarmouth Town was reformed in 1962 and merged with Calbourne in 1997, creating Yarmouth and Calbourne FC.
The club's committee decided to fold after it was clear the team would be unable to field a side next season due to a lack of players staying on.
Financial reasons also played a major factor in the difficult decision.
Tony Hammond, current chairman, said: “I’ve been involved with the club since 1998, and we’ve had some good times and some bad times.
“Since merging, we’ve won the Hampshire Cup, reached the final, again, won the Memorial Cup, and we’ve had some promotions and relegations.
“In the last couple of seasons, the players aren’t interested. We only had eight players, possibly, for this coming season, with no first-team manager. There are no replacements, and I think it’s just run its course."
Tony told the County Press the club originally thought about ‘mothballing’ for a season and waiting to see what happens next year.
He continued: “Financially, it’s a big struggle as well, with all the fines you have to pay.
The players get fined £55 for a sending-off, and a yellow card, which seems to be waved about like confetti in some matches, is £12.50.
“Some of the lads just can’t afford it.”
In years gone, there were several people involved in the club’s committee but only Tony and club secretary/former manager Chris Chatwin remained at the end.
“It is the end of Yarmouth and Calbourne as we know it,” Tony said.
“When I came to the club, we had a first team, reserves and a team in the Sunday League, and there were three divisions in the Sunday League. 35 teams there were, and that’s all gone.”
“The way things are going, it’s very worrying. I worry for the Island football over the next five or 10 years. I don’t think there will be much left.”
Ventnor almost folded during the pandemic, and Wroxall exited the league last year for the second time in four seasons.
There were concerns that Oakfield's first-team may also fold at the end of the 2022/23 season, after the reserves exited the league earlier this year.
The club's treasurer, Shaun Smith, confirmed to the County Press that, despite ‘a bit of a mess toward the end of last year', the first-team is back on track, with Gary Saunders taking over soon.
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