NARBERTH have been spared relegation to Division Two following the sad news that Tenby AFC have withdrawn both their senior sides from the Pembrokeshire Football League.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struggling for numbers in pre-season, and last night, League secretary Brian Hawkins confirmed the club had officially withdrawn both sides.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

Hakin United

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

Solva

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