ABINGDON TOWN AND WHYTELEAFE WITHDRAW FROM LEAGUES ON SAME DAY?

Abingdon Town, a historic football club formed in 1870, have issued the following statement today - 

"It is with deep regret and sadness that we have informed the Hellenic League that Abingdon Town FC will not be playing in next season's Hellenic League. The club has been forced to give up its Step 6 status after new owners of Culham Road were unable to negotiate a new lease.

Culham Rd was purchased by Irama at the end of last year after the previous owners wanted to sell. Despite attempts by the Management Committee to discuss a way forward the Singapore Property Development company Irama made it impossible to move forward, with ridiculous demands.  

Despite the lack of income during COVID, Town looked to be progressing over the last year on and of the pitch by correcting the wrong-doing of the last few years. With no funds coming in due to COVID, and unable to negotiate with Irama we had to make the devastating decision. We would like to thank everyone involved with the club, including the fans, players and wider football family for your support over the years at Abingdon Town." 

Elsewhere Isthmian League Division One South Central side Whyteleafe, formed in 1946, have issued this statement - 

"It is with deep regret and sadness that we informed the Isthmian League earlier today that Whyteleafe FC will not be playing in next season’s Isthmian South Central League. 

The club has been forced to give up its Step Four status after new owners of the Church Road ground refused to negotiate a new lease or licence agreement with the club for the 2021-22 season. 

Home to The Leafe for more than sixty years, Church Road was purchased by Irama last year at auction after the previous owners went into administration. Despite numerous attempts by the Trustees, current management committee and an independent fan led group to discuss a way forward, Singapore based property development company Irama – the new landlords - activated a break clause to terminate the club’s lease on July 31st this year. 

This was despite the club paying Irama nearly £50,000 of back rent that the new owners had been told by the administrators was due for the administration period. Whyteleafe didn’t believe this was the case as the club had been paying all the landlords’ costs during that period to keep the ground viable and to protect the value of the facility. 

But Whyteleafe FC believed Irama were acting in good faith and also wanted to have an ongoing working relationship with the new owners and despite the lack of income during the Covid-19 lockdowns paid the back rent. 

Our withdrawal from the Isthmian League is a devastating blow to everybody involved at the club, the fans, players local community and the wider football family. We would like to thank all of you." 

IRAMA SPORTS have been active on social media today posting 

"We are shocked to hear the news of Whyteleafe withdrawing from the league. After initially handing in their lease months ago, we have since been in dialogue to find a solution and have them continuing to play at Church Road. We hope to still reach a mutual agreement" 

Within the last hour they have released this statement via social media - 

I really do hope this situation can be sorted and both teams can continue playing. More updates to follow.