A NUMBER of factors contributed to the demise of Upwey and Broad-wey FC, according to former midfielder and one-time assistant-manager Pete Jarvis.

The Weymouth club, which had been playing its home games at Redlands until the end of last season, has folded and will play no part in the Dorset Senior League this term.

It is the latest chapter in a turbulent history for the club, which was previously disbanded in 1997 before being reformed by Steve Reynolds nine years on.

Reynolds was at the helm for their last match on May 20, a 3-1 league victory at Witchampton United.

For Jarvis, it wasn’t too much of a surprise when he found out that club officials had decided to call it a day.

“It’s sad to see it go,” he said. “But, to be honest, I don’t think it was the same last season as it was three or four years ago in terms of commitment from the players.

“I think the club suffered from not having a committee of four or five people. A club needs a committee that can all pitch in and make decisions.

“Simon Ansell was doing the majority of the work behind the scenes and he could have done with a bit more help.

“It was no secret he was carrying the club in terms of organising things but he couldn’t commit to another season, and once Simon stepped aside it was going to be a big pair of shoes to fill.”

He added: “I think it had run its course and gone a bit stale.

“I think the players felt that and the results were showing.

“It was only going one way and it’s a shame that it has happened.”

While Jarvis and Ben Porteous have been training with Bridport Reserves, several Upwey players have joined Dorset Senior League newcomers Balti House.

And on the broader issue of football in the area, Jarvis said: “Someone has got to ask whether enough is being done to support local clubs.

“Clubs like Weymouth Sports and Upwey have got into positions to be promoted and they couldn’t make the step up for one reason or another.”