Bitton!

[Dave Deacon]

Just heard that they may have withdrawn from the league. Can anyone confirm this news?

[Ian Pethick]

Wow!

They were league contenders back in 2018/19, and had stated step 4 ambitions (at one stage they brought in Plymouth based Adam Carter, Sam Hillson and Tyler Elliott). Seem to have had a big churn of players and management over the last couple of season.

[Gary Hocking]

Nothing official from the League or Bitton themselves as far as I can see as yet, but Welton Rovers have “confirmed” it on their Twitter account. 

[sportsman10]

Not surprised. Splashed loads of money chasing promotion then the money ran out and here we are again 

[Dave Deacon]

Also pulled out of the Saturday coming game!

[Quiet Man]

Very disappointing that they have pulled out. Just goes to show that it doesn't pay to spend more than your income. No updates from the Western League or from Bitton which is quite poor really. 

[Gary Hocking]

12 minutes ago, Quiet Man said:

Very disappointing that they have pulled out. Just goes to show that it doesn't pay to spend more than your income. No updates from the Western League or from Bitton which is quite poor really. 

Other clubs are tweeting, Bitton’s players are tweeting, but nothing from either the club or the league - as you say QM, poor.

[Town Fan]

Now official, see the Western League website: http://toolstationleague.com/bitton-withdraw-from-league/

[hedgerow]

What is the fine for withdrawing?

[Philheybrookbay]

20 minutes ago, hedgerow said:

What is the fine for withdrawing?

A lot from memory. 
 

Last club to do it from memory would have been Bridport back in early 80s and it was a £500 fine even then. 

[quiksilver]

Spending big last season but have now Bitton off more than they could chew it would seem……

[Tommy Matthews]

It’s sad enough when a small, lower league club, renting out their pitch and facilities can’t carry on. When it happens to a Western League outfit then that’s a serious issue. 

[Easterfield]

Would this now open up the possibility of a 5th placed-team - from either section of the Peninsula or the Western First - now being promoted?

Well, something like that anyway.  Points per game....but would require the FA to 'ring fence' the opportunity to the SW region rather than a national calculation.

[Buckland Jim]

19 minutes ago, Easterfield said:

Would this now open up the possibility of a 5th placed-team - from either section of the Peninsula or the Western First - now being promoted?

Well, something like that anyway.  Points per game....but would require the FA to 'ring fence' the opportunity to the SW region rather than a national calculation.

In other leagues when a club pulls out mid-season they get classed as the bottom club even though their record is expunged and therefore, theoretically classed as the relegated side. 

[We Two]

How many times does this sort of thing have to happen, before clubs realise that paying out money that either relies on a rich sponsor or the backroom club members to commit to raising funds to finance paying players a lot of money, that it will eventualy come to an end once those financiers step aside.
If only using the money that comes in to the clubhose or through the gate is all that you can afford as a club. what on earth is the benefit of risking the very existence of your club by overspending.
A similar problem exists in the pro game, where subtantial fees are paid to obtain and pay a player, only to find that the constant outlay is unsustainable.
It would be interesting to know how many clubs are financially secure, and are not reliant on wealthy benefactors to maintain the success of their club.
We have no idea of what has caused Bittons demise, but it would be difficult to sympathise if it was because of spending more than could be afforded.

[Ian Pethick]

1 hour ago, We Two said:

How many times does this sort of thing have to happen, before clubs realise that paying out money that either relies on a rich sponsor or the backroom club members to commit to raising funds to finance paying players a lot of money, that it will eventualy come to an end once those financiers step aside.
If only using the money that comes in to the clubhose or through the gate is all that you can afford as a club. what on earth is the benefit of risking the very existence of your club by overspending.
A similar problem exists in the pro game, where subtantial fees are paid to obtain and pay a player, only to find that the constant outlay is unsustainable.
It would be interesting to know how many clubs are financially secure, and are not reliant on wealthy benefactors to maintain the success of their club.
We have no idea of what has caused Bittons demise, but it would be difficult to sympathise if it was because of spending more than could be afforded.

As someone new to the local scene, the thoughts of new Launceston boss Neil Price are interesting. Believes that local clubs will have to move to a more self sustainable footing.

Bitton talked about the extreme financial pressures they were facing as being a reason they folded (people can draw their own conclusions about whether they were partly self inflicted), but I fear they won't be the last.

Read an article on fanbanter.co.uk which talked about how rising costs of electric, transport and maintaining the grounds (and also attendances/spend at the ground declining due to the cost of living crisis) means that many clubs are facing the biggest threat to their existence in history. As an example, Didcot Town of the Southern League Div One Central (Step 4) are talking about potentially only surviving until January/February if things don't improve. They have already started scheduling home kicks off for 2pm in a desperate bid to save money, as they have been quoted an increase in their utilities bill from £14k per year to £60k (316% !!!)

[Easterfield]

2 hours ago, Buckland Jim said:

In other leagues when a club pulls out mid-season they get classed as the bottom club even though their record is expunged and therefore, theoretically classed as the relegated side. 

Yes, assuming there is to be normal relegation from the Western Premier this season. Reading the original announcement there is a clause that suggests this will be the case. But later there were statements about a 5th placed team being promoted from step 6 if need be.

Either way, there's now one less club on the step 5/6 map which needs to be replaced. As we've seen in the past there are various ways of doing this. Interesting to see if the FA will follow national procedures or adopt more localised solutions for the first year of the league.,  

[SomersetObserver]

7 hours ago, quiksilver said:

Spending big last season but have now Bitton off more than they could chew it would seem……

It was more than just last season they spent big. They've been spending decent money for a few years in order to try and get into the Southern League on crowds of usually only 2 figures. They were unlucky in 2019 coming 3rd with over 90 points in one if the finest Western League seasons in recent years, in quite a few recent seasons that would have seen them promoted.  

Whatever the reasons for this it is a shame to see and an incredibly fast fall from a club who just 2 years ago were competing in the semi-final of the Vase.

[Easterfield]

On 20/10/2022 at 09:37, Way Of The Park said:

Wow!

They were league contenders back in 2018/19, and had stated step 4 ambitions (at one stage they brought in Plymouth based Adam Carter, Sam Hillson and Tyler Elliott). Seem to have had a big churn of players and management over the last couple of season.

Last time I was at Bitton was for a crunch-game against Parkway in March 2019. Checking Richard Rundle's site - https://fchd.info/BITTON.HTM - Bitton finished in the top eight of the Western Premier for eleven consecutive seasons after promotion in 2004 (one championship during that time). Next three average seasons before a revival in 2018. Vaguely remember them falling away during the first COVID-interpupted season and again last year. Superficially all rather fishy about why this should be the case. Why bankroll a team in the first place if you only want to be strong over the first three-quarters of a season? 

Anyhow it's been a clustered area for Western League football - Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Keynsham, Longwell Green Sports and Oldland Abbotonians with Mangotsfield now having dropped from step 4 to step 5.  Harsh on Bitton but, if one area has been over-represented at step 5/6 level, it's been the eastern edge of Bristol.   

[Gary Hocking]

18 minutes ago, Easterfield said:

Anyhow it's been a clustered area for Western League football - Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Keynsham, Longwell Green Sports and Oldland Abbotonians with Mangotsfield now having dropped from step 4 to step 5.  Harsh on Bitton but, if one area has been over-represented at step 5/6 level, it's been the eastern edge of Bristol.   

Odd Down too

[Easterfield]

1 hour ago, GaryHocking said:

Odd Down too

Think I'd be right in saying that Bristol/Bath has a greater number of step 4/5/6 clubs than places such as Bradford/Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield.  

[Xanie25]

Who knows if football clubs may merger to save costs obviously the problem of fixture timings but maybe a future overhaul is needed so that grassroots football survives. Would be great if clubs could share costs, amenities? Could 2 matches be played on the same day/ double header maybe more supporters would go as better value.l know pitches may not cope with constant use but I think clubs have got to come up with realistic ideas.

Could coach sharing help if a team could be dropped off on route to another ground? I am sure this forum has more ideas or thoughts. The cost of living isn't going away and it would be a shame to see local football disappear. 

 

 

[Ian Pethick]

14 minutes ago, Xanie25 said:

Who knows if football clubs may merger to save costs obviously the problem of fixture timings but maybe a future overhaul is needed so that grassroots football survives. Would be great if clubs could share costs, amenities? Could 2 matches be played on the same day/ double header maybe more supporters would go as better value.l know pitches may not cope with constant use but I think clubs have got to come up with realistic ideas.

Could coach sharing help if a team could be dropped off on route to another ground? I am sure this forum has more ideas or thoughts. The cost of living isn't going away and it would be a shame to see local football disappear. 

 

 

Unfortunately, local pride, rivalry and tradition would stop any merger talk. You only need to reference the furore that surrounded the "agreement " regarding Helston sharing players with Penzance. 

St Cleer were effectively amalgamated into Liskeard back in the summer with volunteers,administrators and facilities shared, and a pathway for young local players developed. Seems to be working pretty well.

[Philheybrookbay]

It’s a strange one Bristol. There’s a lot of clubs very close together as many have highlighted which have got to Step 5- possibly from when the Western League lost a lot of clubs from Devon and Cornwall and filled up from that area. 
 

Having lived in Manchester most areas had clubs at various steps and they ebb’d and flowed as teams rose or sunk. For example Flixton - a club you’d never have put at the old Step 2 (NPL) but get there they did and spent a fortune getting there. But it all went pop and I saw them in their last season - ground ruined- vast expensive seats broken and just a horrendous place to watch football. 
 

Equally Gamesley - fantastic club in its day- step 7 or 8 - but never went for promotion - being only 2 miles from Glossop North End they knew what would happen. They had a cracking ground for their level and still do ok to this day. Community club through and through in a rough council estate. Focus on the kids and they don’t wreck the ground. 

[mattelot]

1 hour ago, Philheybrookbay said:

It’s a strange one Bristol. There’s a lot of clubs very close together as many have highlighted which have got to Step 5- possibly from when the Western League lost a lot of clubs from Devon and Cornwall and filled up from that area. 
 

Having lived in Manchester most areas had clubs at various steps and they ebb’d and flowed as teams rose or sunk. For example Flixton - a club you’d never have put at the old Step 2 (NPL) but get there they did and spent a fortune getting there. But it all went pop and I saw them in their last season - ground ruined- vast expensive seats broken and just a horrendous place to watch football. 
 

Equally Gamesley - fantastic club in its day- step 7 or 8 - but never went for promotion - being only 2 miles from Glossop North End they knew what would happen. They had a cracking ground for their level and still do ok to this day. Community club through and through in a rough council estate. Focus on the kids and they don’t wreck the ground. 

Club statement now on their pitchero website .