NO MORE GAMES ON THIS MANOR!

ETON MANOR will not kick a ball next season – even though they will remain members of the Essex Senior League.

Chairman Reg Curtis, 72, said he has been left to run the 116-year-old club on his own, and was badly let down by the players last season.

Curtis, who played for Eton Manor until he was 52 and has been involved in its administration for 35 years, said that the club needed to take a break from the game and regroup.

“The players let me down,” he said. “Two of them have run up numerous bookings and I asked them not to get booked again so they could play in the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy final.

“Both got booked again, were suspended for the game and we lost 3-0 to Takeley after extra time.

“Also, while I was on holiday, the team did not bother to turn up for a league game at Sawbridgeworth Town. When I got back home, I asked why, and they said they were too tired.

“We ended up with a £500 fine for not playing the game.”

Curtis, a life member of the league, said: “I have been doing everything here, from washing kits, acting as secretary, and manning the gate. The level of administration and bureaucracy today is stupid – I had 92 emails for just one game, whereas in old times we would sort it all out on the telephone and with one letter.

“We really need a rest for one year, and with the help of my son we will be back.”

League chairman Robert Errington said that there was the facility for the club to take a season off but still remain members of the competition, and then resume playing the year afterwards.