A Dalton-in-Furness football club have pulled out of the West Lancashire League after 27 years.
Crooklands Casuals’ chairman Dave Mansergh cited a number of reasons for their decision to resign including increased costs, reduced commitment and lack of volunteers.
They finished 14th in Division One in the season just ended when manager Marc McAloone announced he was stepping down.
The Casuals won Division Two in 2000/01 and again in 2007/08 and came second in Division One in 2011/12 to earn promotion to the top flight.
A highest-placed finish of fifth in the Premier Division was the highlight in 2013/14 before dropping back to Division One in 2017, where they have remained ever since.
It is hoped they will return to the Furness Premier League.
In an email to the league, the chairman said: “We feel returning to our local Furness Premier League will give us a chance to rebuild, compete and reinvest financially into the club.
“Many thanks to the West Lancashire League for their support over the past 27 seasons.”
As well as their league success, they won the Challenge Cup in 2000/01 and were finalists in 2007/08.
Their resignation means Division One’s bottom side Slyne-with-Hest will be reprieved with an extra space to be allocated in Division Two next season.
That will be decided at the league’s AGM on Thursday.
