ONE of the oldest football clubs in Hereford has announced that they will not field senior football sides next season.

Hereford Lads Club has removed their first team from the Hellenic Premier.

Lads Club Reserves and Lads Club Colts have also been pulled out of the Herefordshire Leagues ‘with immediate effect’.

A joint statement between the club’s senior coaching team of Daniel Moon, John Haycox and Stephen Ellerton said: “Following years, and in the case of many of us, decades of hard work, we are disappointed to find ourselves in the position that we find ourselves in.

“Lads Club committee feel there is no place for senior football for these teams.

“Over the past 10 years, we’ve progressed from the Herefordshire leagues, to (non-league) step five and the Hellenic League Premier Division.

“We’ve progressed as a team, but unfortunately a number of decisions made by the club, it’s chairman and trustees, mean that we are no longer in a position where we can continue.

“The budget offered by the club for the forthcoming season is around half of what we believe would even give us a chance of remaining in this division (Hellenic Premier), plus with other local clubs showing ambition and working at getting extra sponsorship to remain sustainable, the lack of effort from those above us at the club mean that we are fighting a tougher battle every week.

“We’d like to thank all the players who have played for us over the years, many of them without getting paid. Whether it’s promotions, the County Cup winning season or cup runs, we have plenty of memories to take away from this memorable spell at the club.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision to make, but we only wish the club could’ve matched our ambition for a stable, competitive club in step five.

"Thank you for the memories.”

Following the news of Hereford Lads Club’s demise their scheduled friendly against Hereford FC has been changed.

The Bulls will now instead play Westfields at the HFA County Ground at 2pm on July 6.

Hereford have also announced that they will play West Bromwich Albion under-21s at Edgar Street on July 13.