STACEY EXIT HAS ARDLEY DROPPING

ARDLEY United have voluntarily relegated themselves from the Hellenic Premier following the resignation of chairman Norman Stacey after 35 years.

His decision to stand down after leading Ardley to fifth place was immediately followed by the resignation of manager Paul Davis for personal reasons after 18 months in charge.

A league statement said that Ardley’s decision to move down to Division One West was made “due to changes in the management and administration” of the club.

The decision has reprieved Burnham from relegation to Division One East and they will remain in the Premier despite finishing second from bottom.

To balance the lower divisions, Bicester Town move back to Division One East from One West.

Meanwhile, local resident Ian Feaver has taken over as Ardley United’s new chairman with Stacey’s blessing. One of his first tasks will be to appoint a new team boss.

Stacey, who stood down for family health reasons, will stay on as club secretary.

He said: “I set myself two goals. The first was to win the Hellenic Premier title, and to lift the Oxfordshire Senior Cup. The second we achieved three years ago, but the Hellenic title has eluded me coming second to Wantage Town by one point and missing promotion to the elusive Southern League.”