Following a meeting of all the teams this week Budleigh Salterton AFC has decided to take down the nets and goals and close the pitch until the new season.
After a season of incredible uncertainty, the Robins have opted to take the long-term view of preparing for what will hopefully be a full campaign from July, with the additional benefit of an outstanding playing surface at Greenway Lane.
In a statement from club secretary Keith Wood, the club said: “The past year has been extremely testing financially and, with the clubhouse closed and no income, coupled together with the ongoing Covid restrictions on the match-days, there seemed little sense in trying to resurrect a season that was impossible to finish.
“Looking forward, the Robins have a lot to get excited about. The biggest beneficiary in all of this is the Greenway Lane pitch. For the last twenty years it has been punished and bruised by thousands of football boots and it is now on an eight-month sabbatical and starting to look magnificent.
“Add in the new floodlights and new mower, and the facilities at Greenway Lane will be one of the best in East Devon come August.
“With the onset of the new season, the club are deciding whether to reintroduce the second team or take on new tenants for the alternate Saturdays to the first team. So, if there are any teams looking for a new home, or would be interested in playing under the club banner at Greenway Lane, the club website at www.budleighsaltertonafc.co.uk has a contact form.
“Football is not completely lost, the Friday night coaching will be returning in late April, details are on the Friday night coaching Facebook page. The clubhouse itself will possibly open, weather dependant early May with tables outside, followed by May 21 with the rule of six and then hopefully on June 21 we can return to a bit of normality.
“July will see the return of the First team, Ladies, U18, U15 and possibly a younger side and another senior squad – plenty to look forward to.”