FC OSWESTRY Town’s director of football believes the lack of support for the club, in both fans and finances, is what led to its demise this weekend.

The team had been competing in the North West Counties League First Division South and were in second place on 66 points – and surefire candidates for promotion – when the decision was made to cancel the season and declare the result null and void because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nick Maguire admitted he felt the club was not backed by numbers through the gates but says he and his fellow committee members are proud of their efforts over the course of the last decade.

“We just don’t think there’s a place for a semi-professional club like FC Oswestry Town for a town of Oswestry’s size,” said Mr Maguire.

“We just didn’t get the numbers through the turnstile – The New Saints don’t get the numbers either.

“We get a handful of people who wanted it but we needed hundreds of people though the gate.

“To the people who did come and support us, and to the businesses in town who did give us financial backing, we thank you.

“And to The Venue as well, who have provided us with somewhere to play for the last 10 years – we wouldn’t have found a pitch like that anywhere else.”

Mr Maguire said the club could be proud of its success.

He said: “We have done lots of fundraising for charities over the years, and we have enjoyed that. Plus, we have provided hundreds of footballers over the years with somewhere to play, whether that’s first team, reserve team or with the under 18s, and we’re really very proud of that.”

Mr Maguire confirmed the decision to cease playing was taken by the committee, who added that the lack of fixtures has resulted in a shortfall in funding, forcing the decision.

A spokesman for the club explained the decision in a statement online over the weekend and pointed to lockdown and the curtailed season among the chief reasons.

It said: “It is with a heavy heart that FC Oswestry Town have made the sad decision to fold the club.

“The difficult decision has been made due mainly to the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in the curtailing of the North West Counties League and the FA’s ruling to make the 2019/20 season null and void which robbed us of a hard earned promotion.

“The committee has been working over the past four months but due to financial difficulties that we are currently facing we are unable to keep the club alive in the professional way that everyone involved with the club would like.

“Financial difficulties due to the denial of promotion to a higher league, no fixtures being played since March and no opportunities to raise funds externally means we are in no position to commit to the forthcoming season.

“As a club we have had an amazing short history with a hugely successful team that gained promotion to the North West Counties League (NWCFL).

“The success continued with this years fantastic team that was on the verge of promotion to step five football and the FA Cup.”