COLIN Lewis, club secretary of Premier Division outfit Bradford News has informed Chippenham Sunday League secretary Frank Harvey that the team, which has been in the league since 1985 will be withdrawing from the league with immediate effect.

Bradford News started life as in the late 1970s under the name of Wiltshire Times.

The teams entered the Devizes League as Newsprint before switching to the Chippenham League where they changed their name to Avon News.

Lewis, who has been secretary of the Bradford-based side for 30 years said: “It is with great regret and personal heartbreak that I have decided to withdraw the team from the league.'

"Having spent many hours over the past two nights trying to keep the club afloat it has become obvious that it just won't happen.''

Lewis had just five players willing to commit regularly ,with about eight saying they would help out now and then.

A recent plea for new players proved fruitless and with just seven players available for their WG Parr Trophy clash this Sunday, the decision was taken to resign from the league before things got any worse.

Bradford News’ record will be expunged and the premier division will continue with 10 sides.

League tables will be adjusted at a later date.

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