STAYING PUT: Grove Corner will not be hosting Wessex League football next season.
PORTLAND United will not be applying for promotion to the Wessex League and chairman Pete Turrell has announced he will be stepping down from his post.
The Blues, who have already won the Dorset Premier League title, will stay put for another season but Turrell insists the club will do all it can to gain promotion next time around.
He said: "The committee was 100 per cent for going up but we are not financially there and our floodlights need fixing which means we are not ready to go up this year. We are though trying to get enough money together to rectify the floodlights.
"We know we are good enough to go up but we don't want to put the club in a bad financial situation. Hopefully we can get everything in place to gain promotion next season.
"Everyone wants us to go up and the Wessex League wants us but we need backing for the team. I'm disappointed for the players but not disappointed for the club because I feel we've done the right thing."
Of his decision to step down, Turrell added: "I won't be seeking re-election so there will be a new chairman voted in at the AGM in the summer.
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"I will stay on the committee however, we just need another person with fresh ideas. There are a few names in the hat but they won't be appointed until the AGM."
Portland manager Dave Kiteley shared Turrell's view in regards to their league status. He said: "I respect the decision and understand it but when you win the league the ultimate prize is to test yourself in a higher league so we're disappointed in that respect.
"The aim now is to do it all again next year. It's hard to win a title but even harder to retain it.
"It's also up to the club to fulfil their promises and make sure that everything will be in place next year.
"Pete is Mr Portland and has done a lot of hard work for the club, I'm sure he will continue to do so just not as chairman."
The islanders visit Westland Sports in their final game of the season tomorrow (3pm) and Kiteley is hoping his side can stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 27 games.
He said: "Westland will want to prove a point but for us it would be nice to finish on a positive note having lost just once in the league, which was on the opening day. Going 27 games unbeaten would be a fantastic achievement.
"Westland lost the League Cup final on Tuesday 3-0 to Hamworthy Rec so it's hard to tell what they'll be like, but on their day they're as good as anyone in the league."
Striker Adam Linaker (dead leg) is a slight doubt for tomorrow while defenders Jimmy Dailey and Adam Anstey will turn out for the reserves in their crunch game against Gillingham Town tomorrow at Grove Corner (3pm), where victory for the Blues will see them claim runners-up spot in the Dorset Reserve League.
Blues (from): Boyt, P Lambert, Cranny, Walker, Clarke, Litherland, Doidge, Halloran, Marshallsay, Lamb, White, Whyton, King.
* Portland United are on the lookout for a new secretary. Anyone interested in the position, or to assist the club in other ways, can contact Pete Turrell on 07976657706.
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