Wednesday, 9.36am - A WINNING season has ended in misery for Skegness Town FC because some first team players have left the club over a dispute with the committee.
The resignation of manager Paul Walden, who helped lead the Lilywhites to a second victory in the Lincolnshire League Championships and Supplementary Cup, deeply affected some players.
Uncertainty about whether the team would move up into the Central Midlands League, as they said they had been promised, was another factor in the walk out.
A letter to the press from the players said: "Unfortunately, because of the appalling way our manager and some of our players have been treated by the committee members, and their failure to fulfil promises of progressing to a higher league, we will all be looking to play our football elsewhere next season."
Some players believe Mr Walden was given no choice but to resign just weeks before the league final, and out of loyalty to him and the confusion about the club's direction, have opted to leave as well.
Some players also felt a 'thinly veiled attack' was launched on them in a sports report, written by a committee member, for not being team players when they did not help play for a short-handed reserve team.
But they say they did not refuse to help on purpose but already had commitments.
The players say they would prefer to stay with Skegness but feel they have no option.
Committee member Terry Johnson said the club has been accepted into the Central Midlands League and will play in it next season providing the new manager, who has not been officially appointed, wants to.
He said: "We had a very good season and Paul did us well, but it went a little too far. There were some private arguments and some threatening behaviour was done and we had to write to him to calm himself down.
"There was no mention of him being fired.
"There's no first team at present. They left with the manager.
"Until we sign for next season we won't know who will be in."
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