12th June 2007 - Following the various press articles over the past few days, I should like to give an official statement on the reasons behind the withdrawal of Biddestone FC from The Toolstation League.
We have for some time had a lack of committee/back up persons around the club, a comment made to me by members of the football management team last season. The pressures to run a Toolstation League team are always increasing. On 30th May, Martin Jennings (co-chairman) and I met to discuss the situation.
Our long standing secretary, Keith Pound, had given us 3 months notice of his intention to stand down from his position. Keith has given the club tremendous service, and would always be very difficult to replace. I thank Keith for all of his tremendous work for the club.
At this time we had the 2007-8 Wilts FA Affiliation forms to complete - by 1st June - and failure to complete by this date, would NOT result in there being no team, but the club would receive a £25 fine for late submission of the forms.
The official forms for the Toolstation League had to be completed by 6th June - the date of the AGM.
Martin Jennings and Graham Learmonth had planned to attend the AGM of the Toolstation League on 6th June at Yeovil. At our meeting on 30th May, Martin felt that he would not attend the AGM, if a secretary had not been found by that date. Unfortunately, I was not able to find a secretary by that date and as a result Martin and Leo did not attend the meeting.
As a result of this point, Martin met with Graham, and advised him that the team should be disbanded, as the forms had not been completed. The direct reason was also that no secretary had been found.
Graham then called a meeting of the players and advised them of this fact. I was not aware of either the conversation between Martin and Graham, or the meeting held with the players, as I was in Italy on business. On my return to UK, and Biddestone Sports Ground, I was informed of the facts by Nigel Tripp, who coaches Biddestone Youth under 10's. Despite being unaware of these events I support Martin completely as co- chairman in the decisions he made and actions taken.
I had met with local planning advisors regarding the possibility of installing floodlights at Biddestone ground who informed me that there was really no chance of this being approved. As a club therefore, we would have been unable to compete in The Toolstation League in the 2008-9 Season, as floodlights then become compulsory.
Finance is also always a major headache, and certainly it is becoming ever more difficult to meet the cost demands of running a club in The Toolstation League.
We would have had further problems as I understand, as Graham has stated in Bath Chronicle (12th June 2007), that he would have taken the Corsham managers job anyway, as it was a major step up for him and his team. We would have lost our manager and I expect, quite a number of players, who would follow Graham to Corsham.
I would like to close by confirming that having given 30 years to the club, it is a sad day for me personally, and I am sure that it is also for Martin. I am also sure that both of feel that we have given a major slice of our time and life to Biddestone FC.
In closing, I should like to thank Graham Learmonth, Paul Rose, Gerry Archer and Ian Matthews from the management team of last season, and wish them every success at Corsham Town. I believe that Corsham have a very good new management team.
Also thanks to Ken Clarke and Cliff Ashton for their support during our seasons in the Toolstation League. I should also thank Emma Angove who has been a tremendous treasurer for the club. I will not forget to thank Garry Skidmore, who also got us promoted to the Western League 4 years ago. Martin Jennings has also been always there to do anything that has needed to be done at the club, and his work has been invaluable.
We hope that the club will continue and have its youth and minor section. In closing thank you very much to anyone that I may have forgotten to thank.
Andy Short - Co-Chairman, Biddestone FC