FC OSWESTRY Town is no more following the announcement that the club has folded.

The team had been competing in the North West Counties League First Division South and were in second place on 66 points when the decision was made to cancel the season and declare the result null and void because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Management at the club say the lack of fixtures has resulted in a shortfall in funding, forcing the decision.

A spokesman for the club explained the decision in a statement online.

They said: "It is with a heavy heart that FC Oswestry Town have made the sad decision to fold the club.

"The difficult decision has been made due mainly to the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in the curtailing of the North West Counties League and the FA's ruling to make the 2019/20 season null and void which robbed us of a hard earned promotion.

"The committee has been working hard over the past four months but due to financial difficulties that we are currently facing we are unable to keep the club alive in the professional and competitive way that everyone involved with the club would like.

"Financial difficulties due to the denial of promotion to a higher league, no fixtures being played since March and no opportunities to raise funds externally means we are in no position to commit to the forthcoming season."

The club were formed in 2014, as a successor to the former Oswestry Lions side. 

Town were in second place in their division when the season was curtailed, and had been hoping for promotion to the North West Counties Premier Division.

Manager Nathan Leonard departed last month after the season was ended.

The statement added: "As a club we have had an amazing short history with a hugely successful team that gained promotion to the North West Counties League.

"The success continued with this years fantastic team that was on the verge of promotion to step five football and the FA Cup.

"We have had an amazing journey. We would like to thank all the committee members, supporters and businesses that has helped us make our progress through the non-league football scene but unfortunately we were not able to replicate the success of the old Oswestry Town.

"Everyone involved with the club has spent the last few months trying to work out ways to keep this club alive and moving forward towards a brighter future, but unfortunately to no avail.

"We like to place on record our thanks to everyone involved with the North West Counties football League. for all their help since we have been in the league, and with the professional way the league is run."

The club played at Park Hall, also the home of Welsh Premier League side TNS.

The closure of The Venue, the soft play and bowling alley at the same location, was announced last week, but TNS are unaffected by the announcements.

A statement on the North West Counties League's website read: "Everyone at the league is saddened to receive this resignation and we wish everyone who is involved at the club the best of luck moving forward. Hopefully they can stay involved within the football family at some level."

The club's final match was a 2-1 victory over Maine Road FC on February 25, with Gaz Partridge scoring the winner in the 91st minute.