Seaton Rangers have tendered their resignation from the National Conference League with immediate effect.
The West Cumbrians were unable to fulfil two away fixtures at the end of their third season in the Conference.
The first season 2022, was their most successful in the Conference when they made the Division Three play-offs. Since then they have struggled in both 2023 and 2024, having to apply for re-election last year.
Today, the club’s Peter Gilmour issued the following statement: “The last three seasons while part of such a fantastic organisation have been a wonderful period for our club and we are proud of the fact that we were the first side to be admitted, representing the Allerdale catchment area.
“We have, however, become somewhat victims of our own success with a large number of players from our initial squad joining the local pro ranks.
“That coupled with long term injuries and issues around commitment to travelling has lead us to this point.
“Since the discussion with the NCL management in which their support for our continuation in the NCL in 2025 was received we have lost a further two players to the pro game and that has left us with a young and inexperienced squad of players and after consulting them we have opted to rebuild in the CARL league for 2025 a year in which we as a club will celebrate 130 years of Seaton Rangers.
“We have an excellent under 16s that have played and travelled in the North West Counties League and next season our under-16s team will also do the same.
“As a club we view this as a short term step and aim to rejoin the ranks of the NCL in the medium term with a young talented and dedicated team.
“As a club we would like to thank Alan for his outstanding work as competition administrator, the NCL management committee for all of their help and guidance over the last three seasons and last but not least all of the NCL member clubs that we have faced we have loved meeting so many new faces and learning from those encounters on and off the field and we would like to wish all connected with the NCL a very successful 2025 season and beyond.”
