NARBERTH have been spared relegation to Division Two following the sad news that Tenby AFC have withdrawn both their senior sides from the Pembrokeshire Football League.
It had been apparent for some time that The Seasiders had been struggling for numbers in pre-season, and last night, League secretary Brian Hawkins confirmed the club had officially withdrawn both sides.
He added that amendments would now be made to the league structure and Senior Cup draw.
"It has been agreed in the fairness of the Leagues that we are reorganising the divisions," he said.
"We are therefore in the process of re-organising the fixtures and they will be issued as soon as possible.
"This also means that the Senior Cup will have to be re-drawn and we are currently working on the midweek fixture."
The club themselves also issued a statement explaining the move: "On a night when a decision had to be made whether or not the club would participate this season - a total of six players turned up for training which is astonishing.
"When you look back to little over three years ago when we won the Senior Cup and played some incredible football the demise has been heartbreaking.
"As long as the road may be we will come back from this and we will come back a lot stronger."
The club have also insisted the junior and mini section will still run as normal.
It means Narberth, second bottom of the table last season, will now remain in the top flight.
This news would have seemed inconceivable at the end of the 2013/14 season, when Tenby captured the Senior Cup for the first time in their history, beating Merlins Bridge 2-0 at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
They were then widely tipped to be in the running for the Division One title the following season, whilst their Second team secured promotion from Division Three in time for the 2014/15 season.
The Seconds were later forced to withdraw from Divsion Two, citing a lack of numbers, and had to start again in Division Five - but despite the First team failing to push on from their cup success, they were still able to field a regular side for the three seasons that followed.
But this summer, with Richard Perry and Peter Fearn at the helm, the club has seemingly lost a host of players to neighbouring clubs, while others have stepped away for varying reasons.
Despite rumours to the contrary, The Seasiders maintained they would be fielding senior sides this season regardless - so the latest development has been met with great sadness from the local football fraternity.
Amended 2017/18 Pembrokeshire Football Leagues:
Division 1
Goodwick United
Pennar Robins
Milford United
Neyland
Narberth
Lamphey
Carew
Angle
Monkton Swifts
Merlins Bridge
West Dragons
Clarbeston Road
Herbrandston
Division 2
Johnston
Fishguard Sports
Hakin United II
Lawrenny
Saundersfoot Sports
Letterston
St Clears
Merlins Bridge II
Prendergast Villa
Hundleton
St Ishmaels
Kilgetty
Llangwm
Division 3
Goodwick United II
Broad Haven
Camrose
Carew II
Pendine
Pennar Robins II
Milford United II
Manorbier United
Clarbeston Road II
Narberth II
Milford Athletic
West Dragons II
St Florence
Pembroke Boro
Division 4
Pennar Robins III
Lamphey II
Fishguard Sports II
St Ishmaels II
Angle II
Herbrandston II
Neyland II
Solva II
St Clears II
Prendergast Villa II
Monkton Swifts II
Broad Haven II
Kilgetty II
Llangwm II
Division 5
Hundleton II
Letterston II
Milford Athletic II
Carew III
Lawrenny II
Camrose II
Pembroke Boro II
Milford United III
Cosheston AFC
Johnston II
Saundersfoot Sports II
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