The current economic climate has created many additional challenges on top of the traditional headaches that come with running a successful semi-professional football club. We have tried to absorb these challenges rather than pass them on to our loyal supporters but day to day operating costs have spiralled out of control and revenues have dropped significantly.

We have a core of very hard-working staff but both retirements and several recruitment failures in key positions has left us in a position where we simply cannot continue to operate at this level of intensity.

The senior first team ended the season as the form team in Northern Premier League Midland Division, finishing in a very credible 10th place due largely to the coaching style of Neil Lyne and the players commitment to his methods whilst our operational staff continued to deliver the professional service that made us the club we are.

Putting emotions to one side, commercially the drop in revenues and the loss of key sponsors combined with the increase in operating costs determined it was no longer viable to continue operating the senior first team on this basis and whilst this became abundantly clear by Christmas, the masses agreed that we would finish the season on a best endeavours basis even though the traits of Judas did impose themselves on several within the group as they attempted to belittle our situation!

In an attempt to try and avoid the inevitable, a series of fundraising events were put on and promoted to improve the cashflow position but the response and support was very disappointing and set the tone for the immediate future and ultimately this decision.

The decision was made to be proactive rather than reactive. So, we started the process of requesting Voluntary Demotion from the Northern Premier League which in turn made other pressing decisions much easier.

Today we have pressed the button and put Leicester Road Football Club Limited into Voluntary Liquidation.

This decision does not affect the Senior Development, Youth, Junior or Mini teams who will continue to operate, play and be based at Leicester Road Stadium without exception.

A new entity will be formed to apply to re-join the National League System as a phoenix to the former and it is hoped that senior first team football will be re-established for this coming season under new leadership.

Whilst we are sure there will be many opinions, questions and suggestions, that time has now gone for all those that sat on the fence and there will be no further comments on this matter.