Struggling Skem revert to amateur

SKELMERSDALE have had a difficult week after the chairman Paul Griffiths announced the club has reverted to amateur status.

The club released an official statement on their website explaining that lack of sponsorship, poor results and a drop in match day attendance has put them in financial strain.

Manager Tommy Lawson will remain in his role as manager despite the dramatic change but a number of first team players have chosen to leave the club.

“I have informed our manager this week that we will have to cut his playing budget and unless some serious sponsorship can be found, this will be until the end of the season,” said Griffiths.

“I do not blame any player who decides to leave. We all have to make a living and we live to the means at our disposal. I wish all those players the very best and I am sorry.

“Tommy Lawson has decided to support the club and see thing through. He has a daunting task ahead of him, but Tommy has already put plans into motion to keep us moving forward. “He has all our gratitude,” he added. The news of the club’s financial situation was revealed following their close 2-1 defeat against Rushall Olympic.

Lawson was understandably devastated by the new and he explained the effects it will have on his team this season.

“The club has reverted to amateur status. Obviously it’s disappointing; we’ve lost a lot of players,” said Lawson.

“Some of them are family men and they put their football money into their families and we have to accept that at Skelmersdale.

“We’ve worked on a restricted budget all season but that has gone now and it’s a disappointing situation.

“We have to do what we can. We can offer up-and-coming youngsters an opportunity to play in the Evo-Stik”.