Lewisham Borough resign from SCEFL: As you can probably appreciate it is a very difficult and emotional time for many connected with the club

LEWISHAM BOROUGH have today resigned from the Southern Counties East Football League.

The League published its Premier Division fixtures at noon today but it came clearer later in the day as to why the First Division fixture list was put on hold as it announced that Lewisham Borough have pulled out of the League just 17 days before the start of the new season.

“The League have very reluctantly accepted the resignation of Lewisham Borough from Division One with immediate effect,” said the statement.

“They have been working hard over the past few days to try to secure their future but are unable to do so.

“They have worked extremely hard with the council to improve the facilities at Ladywell Arena and have achieved great things there. 

“We are very sorry to lose them.”

League rivals Gravesham Borough withdrew from the same division on 9 July as they failed to raise the funds needed to compete in the tenth-tier of English football.

Lewisham Borough manager Justin Fevrier, who didn't take charge of a single league game since being appointed, set up an online fundraising page but was unsuccessful in his attempt to raise £20,000 to help save the 15-year-old club.

Ray Simpson, who was co-founder of Lewisham Borough along with George Davis, Joe Collymore and the late Clinton Rhule, was chairman of the club.

“As you can probably appreciate it is a very difficult and emotional time for many connected with the club, especially the club directors,” said Mr Simpson.

Lewisham Borough were run by around four people and running an amateur club at this level of football costs at least £20,000 per season, even without a playing budget.

Since the club were founder members of the Kent Invicta League in season 2011-12, when they finished in the top eight with 43 points from 30 games, the club have struggled.

Lewisham Borough have played 228 league games at this level, winning 37 of them, drawn 24 and lost 164, scoring 268 goals and conceding 691.  The club have finished bottom of the table on four occasions.

The Southern Counties East Football League First Division will now run with 17 club’s this season, with 20 in the Premier Division.