Blues' blow (From Dorset Echo)

Blues' blow

9:03am Tuesday 9th June 2009 in

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THE lights have gone out for another season on Portland United’s hopes of promotion to the Sydenhams Wessex League.

The Blues, who captured the Dorset Premier League and Cup double last season, needed to raise £42,000 to repair the floodlights at Grove Corner in order to progress but their appeals for financial support have proved unsuccessful.

Portland chairman Tony Greaves said: “We appealed for help from the local business community but with the way the marketplace is at the moment there has been no response.

“We had a couple of offers of help but without the money there is nothing that can be done, so it means we will not be going up as the deadline to get the funding in place has now been and gone.

“Our ambition is still to return to the Wessex League and we will keep working towards that over the next 12 months. In the meantime, we will also look to build on the success of the past two seasons in which we have won back-to-back titles.”

There has been speculation that several United players could be looking to move on to pastures new this summer but Greaves remains hopeful that boss Stuart Heath will be able to retain the core of his squad.

He added: “There have been a lot of rumours flying about since the end of the season and as we understand it seven or eight of our lads have been approached by other sides, some of which are from a higher standard.

“Obviously, we are doing all that we can to try and keep them together but there will be new players coming in as well, who really want to play for the club.

“If we can keep a good base of last season’s players and also add a few new faces then I am sure we will be up there challenging again.”