Sunderland RCA withdraw their resignation from Northern League

Sunderland RCA have confirmed they are to withdraw their intended resignation from the Northern League.

Dwindling attendances and challenges on and off the pitch had led the club to ‘give provisional notice’ of their intention to end their time as a club in step five and six in the non-league system at the end of the season.

While the search for new volunteers and investment is ongoing, RCA have lost a whole host of key players in recent weeks and have promoted a large proportion of their reserve team squad into the Northern League.

Dominic Jones oversaw Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at local rivals Seaham Red Star as manager Steve Riley took a watchingbriefofeventsbefore further discussing his own future with club officials.

Wednesday brought confirmation of Riley’s ‘amicable departure’ from RCA, who released a statement confirming they were now looking for a successor to ‘take the club forward’byoverseeingabattle against relegation from Division One and what they anticipate will by a hectic summer.

Speaking after Saturday’s defeat at Red Star, RCA secretary Rob Jones said: “We are aiminginthenexttwoorthree games to consolidate what we have got and maybe bring in two or three players with a view to remaining in the first division if we can.

“If we get relegated, we get relegated,butwewillbewithdrawingournoticeinthenext two weeks and we will go on from there with a long-term plan.

“I was very proud of the lads that turned out for us, they were mainly reserve team players and long may that continue. It’s a club that needs to continue in Ryhope because we’ve had a bad time of it with Ryhope CW folding and we are now in a position wherewearetheonlyRyhope clubleft.Weneedtomaintain that, we need people to get behind us but we are staying around.”

RCA chairman Colin Wilson added: “I’m optimistic we will be able to strengthen the currentsquad,whohavedone verywellsofar,butneedsome help obviously. (It has been a) tough few weeks but we will keepgoing.Therearelocalofffield offers of help and that is encouraging.”

A youthful RCA suffered a 6-0 defeat at Newcastle BenfieldonTuesdayandfaceaway trips to Heaton Stannington and Northallerton Town over the next week.