Full time for historic football clubs
Two long-serving Sandwell football clubs with have been consigned to the history books after a combined service of nearly 120 years.
Two long-serving Sandwell football clubs with have been consigned to the history books after a combined service of nearly 120 years.
Oldbury-based Regent Bush FC has been forced to fold this season because of a lack of players.
The club, which was formed in 2004 from the merger of the 81-year-old Bush FC and 38-year-old Regent FC, has seen hundreds of players in Sandwell turn out for it over the years.
Regent FC joined the Festival League in 1966 following the euphoria of England's World Cup win.
It was formed originally under the umbrella of the youth club at the church in Regent Street, Smethwick, playing at various home grounds over the years including the former Oldbury United ground in York Road, while West Bromwich-based Bush FC started up in the early 1920s playing in the Warley League before the merger in 2004.Both clubs have been based at different grounds during their long histories, most recently playing their home games at Warley Sports Club in Tat Bank Road, Oldbury.
Club secretary Evan Boughton, of Calverton Grove in Great Barr, said he had been involved since the early 1970s and it was sad to see the demise of two such established clubs.
The former metallurgist, aged 75, said both clubs had strong "family" traditions before and after their merger about five years ago.
"There was a strong family belief reciprocated with the loyalty and allegiance to the club, sadly the element least appreciated these days," he said.
"With such histories, for the non-playing staff it is difficult to comprehend how so early in a new season such a situation can occur.
"Basically, player loyalty and commitment is getting more and more difficult to count on. It takes a lot of time and energy necessary to develop, inform and communicate with players."
He said the club had a list of simple guides for players' conduct which they tried to instill in their sides, including loyalty to the team, companionship and respect for the referee and management staff."All in all, a sad end to two excellent clubs and in its way a betrayal of all the past playing and management staff," he added.
Mr Boughton added that he still regularly heard from many people involved with the club over the past years and may look into organising a reunion if there was enough interest.
