Monaghan United withdraw from league

This morning we woke up to the bad news that an Airtricity League club has decided to withdraw its involvement in the league. Monaghan United FC, founded in 1985 have pulled out from the league for reasons that are "mainly but not only financial".

In the statement released to press, the club have spoken of how this was a "hard decision and not taken lightly, but the only option available to us at this time".

Monaghan United had been promoted last season, but what should have been a new chapter in the growth and strengthening of the club has indeed become yet another financial nightmare to a recently promoted club. They struggled to cope with the costs of the league, and failed to attract sponsorship for both their ground and their main kit. They also cite a lack of support from the league in keeping themselves alive.

In the statement, it's said that Monaghan will not completely disappear. They will have "a new beginning, a new direction has been chosen by the club, and it is our intention to pour all our energy, experience and facility's into the development of football in the county of Monaghan."

The statement concludes by thanking the players, fans and manager of the club. All players are now released and will be left to find new clubs as soon as possible.
 

The statement in full reads:

Monaghan United after much deliberation and soul searching have decided to bring to an end it's involvement in Airtricity League of Ireland,  this decision was a hard one and not  taken lightly but it was felt that this was the only real option left to us at this time.

Monaghan United entered the National League back in 1985 and while it's been tough it has been an enjoyable journey, we have made many friends and forged great links within the football family. However for a number of reasons this was no longer sustainable and with a heavy heart we decided to bring to an end our involvement with the Airtricity League of Ireland.

The reason we have taken this decision is mainly but not only financial. To keep  a team playing at the highest level in this country is expensive and with the clubs inability to tie down a anchor sponsor, coupled with the rising costs of membership of senior football and the  lack of support from the national league  it was felt that no other option was available.

However this is in no way the end of Monaghan United in fact it is a new beginning, a new direction has been chosen by the club, and it is our intention to pour all our energy, experience and facility's into the development of football in the county of Monaghan.

Monaghan United will sit down with all of its members and interested parties to explore how best to achieve this.

Monaghan United would like to extend our gratitude to our manager and players who throughout this time have been very supportive and indeed our decision to leave at this time is to allow these players to find other clubs as soon as possible. We would like to wish them all the best of luck in the future.

Once again may I thank all of our members, supporters, sponsors and the good people of Monaghan for their kindness and we have been assured of their support going forward.

Finally Monaghan United would like to take this opportunity to assure all our creditors that all accounts with them will continue to be honoured.

Extratime.ie will bring you more on this over the day...