Only 16 teams remain as Wigton ARL fold
Last updated 13:44, Wednesday, 20 August 2008
WIGTON ARL have folded – just days before the start of the new Cumberland League season.
Low numbers at training and work commitments have been blamed for the side’s demise, which now leaves the Cumberland League with just 16 clubs.
Wigton only celebrated their 25th anniversary at the end of last season but officials at the division two side had to make the harsh decision at the start of the week.
But they do hope to try and get up and running once more for the following season.
League chairman, Roger Blair, said: “It is disappointing as they just celebrated 25 years in existence last season.
“Officials at Wigton are very downhearted, they wanted to keep going but they have lost the backbone of the side with work commitments and also their coach.
“We tried to help them by letting them keep playing friendlies when they could but we now have to accept that they are gone. It is a sad start to the season.”
This is another blow to the local league, with Westfield only folding at this time last year. But Blair is hopeful that Wigton can come back, as Distington have done recently.
“Distington came back strongly after a couple of years out and Wigton are hoping to try and get things going for the following season and let’s hope they can do it.”
Wigton were due to open their second division campaign next Tuesday with a trip to Maryport A. Now any teams who were due to play the side will be given a free weekend.
The division will now just have 11 sides, including five second teams, with a further 10 in the first division, which kicks off the following night, Wednesday, August 27.
