9th tier club make extremely difficult decision in hope of safeguarding their financial future
9th tier club Whickham make an ‘extremely difficult’ decision in the hope of safeguarding their financial future.
On Sunday night (23rd August), the Northern League Division One side announced the resignation with immediate effect of joint managers David Palmer and Dan Crooks, along with coach Dan Craggs.
Then their midweek fixture against Blyth Town was postponed, with no reason given.
Now Whickham have explained in a lengthy much needed update explaining the situation the club find themselves in…
Club statement following on from this weeks events pic.twitter.com/9LDBtKxY1e
— Whickham FC (@WhickhamFC) August 26, 2026
A club statement on the 26th of August read: “Whickham Football Club would like to provide supporters with a further update following what has been an extremely difficult and fast-moving few days for everyone associated with the club.
“Firstly, we recognise that supporters have been waiting for further information and apologise that we have not been able to provide a detailed update sooner. The situation has continued to develop at considerable pace and our immediate priority has been working behind the scenes to ensure the club can fulfil its forthcoming fixtures and put appropriate arrangements in place for the first team.
“Over recent weeks, the club has been closely reviewing its projected financial position for the remainder of the season.
“Unfortunately, lower than anticipated commercial and sponsorship income, alongside reductions in other sources of revenue, meant that the playing budget agreed at the beginning of the season could no longer be sustained without placing the financial future of the club at unacceptable risk.
“The Executive Committee therefore took the extremely difficult decision to reduce the playing budget, with the existing budget remaining in place for a further four weeks. This was intended to provide a period of notice, minimise the immediate financial impact on players and allow them time to consider alternative clubs should they choose to do so.
“Following communication of that decision, joint managers David Palmer and Dan Crooks and coach Dan Craggs resigned from their positions. A significant proportion of the first-team squad subsequently informed the club that they intended to pursue opportunities elsewhere and would no longer be available for selection.
“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to every player who now leaves Whickham.
“The group played an enormous part in preserving the club’s Northern League First Division status last season and followed that achievement with a fantastic start to the current campaign.
“Their effort, commitment and contribution to Whickham Football Club should not be overshadowed by the circumstances in which their time with us has ended.
“We also recognise the difficult position in which the change to the playing budget placed the management team and players. The management team assembled their squad for this season based upon the budget available to them at the time and we fully understand their disappointment at circumstances changing so early in the campaign.
“The decision was not taken lightly, but the Executive Committee believed it was necessary to protect the financial sustainability of the club. Nevertheless, we are sorry that circumstances reached this point and for the impact this has had on the management team and players.
BLYTH TOWN FIXTURE
“Following the departures, considerable work was undertaken to assemble a team for Tuesday evening’s scheduled fixture at Blyth Town.
“Unfortunately, the timescales involved, together with player registration and eligibility considerations relating to our reserve team, meant it was not possible to do so.
“We apologise to Blyth Town and both sets of supporters for the inconvenience caused, and thank the Northern League for their support in this regard.
“Every effort is now being made to fulfil Friday evening’s fixture at Easington Colliery, which we expect to go ahead as planned.
FIRST-TEAM MANAGEMENT
“Our previous statement advised that Trevor Baston had agreed to take interim charge of first-team affairs.
Given the significant change in circumstances and turnover of the playing squad since that announcement, Trevor will no longer take up the interim role. We thank him for initially offering to help the club at an extremely difficult time.
“Former Whickham Reserves manager Andy Kingsland has agreed to take temporary charge of first-team affairs while the club works towards a permanent appointment.
“Andy knows Whickham Football Club and its wider playing structure well and is already in dialogue with existing players, players from within the wider club and potential new additions to assemble a squad for the immediate fixtures ahead.
“Discussions regarding a permanent management appointment are progressing and a further announcement will be made in due course.
MOVING FORWARD
“We appreciate that the events of the last few days have created uncertainty and concern for our supporters, and we are sorry that the club finds itself in this position.
“Our immediate focus is on fulfilling our fixtures, stabilising the first-team situation and taking the steps we believe are necessary to put Whickham Football Club in a stronger and more sustainable position moving forward.
“We will provide further updates as soon as there is definitive information to share.
“Finally, we would like to thank our supporters, the local community and the wider football family for the many messages of support and well wishes we have received during an incredibly difficult few days.
“To David, Dan, Craggsy and those players moving on, we thank you sincerely for your contribution to Whickham Football Club and sincerely wish you every success for the future.
And to our supporters, thank you for your patience and continued support.”
Here’s how social media users reacted as the 9th tier club make extremely difficult decision in the hope of safeguarding their financial future…
Blyth Town FC: A difficult position for any football club to find itself in. We wish everyone at Whickham FC all the very best through what is clearly a challenging period. Hopefully we’ll see you back on the pitch soon. 🤝
Paul Fowler: Players and coaches come and go, but what is important is the club carries on. Good on you for financially stabilising the club and safeguarding its future. A decision that I know won’t have been lightly taken. Good luck for the future.
Barry Ternent: What people don’t realise is, how much its cost to run a club per match, home matches inparticlar, before a ball is kick, there is 3 Match Officials Fees, Players fees, Aftermatch refreshments which is a requirement. Away matches there is travel costs and players fees. You are relying on supporters through gate or if you are lucky to have a clubhouse with a bar to subsidise costs coming in but there’s is a cost to this as well. A commercial sponsor is always great to have but in the current climate nobody has the money unless the sponsors are millionaires. Good luck Whickham FC
Jason Barron: All the best and the future of the club is the most important thing. Always made very welcome on my many visits to watch Whickham and hopefully I get along again sometime very soon 😊
Lloyd Miller: Very best of luck for the future to everyone associated with the club.
Crook Town AFC – The Black and Ambers: Keep going everyone, it’s hard but keeping such an illustrious club going will be a credit to you all 🖤💛
John Paul Pirie: All the very best. Good luck in the future. Always enjoy Whickham. Newton Aycliffe Fan 👍
Graeme Jackson: Wishing you all the best. Always got a warm welcome when visiting with West Allotment in the past.
Andy Moore: The problem with sone semi pro footballers, they have no loyalty and are money grabbing twats. I have seen players leave a club for less than a fiver and more clubs are having to make difficult decisions, less income and more expenses, referee fees etc
Liam Simmons: As a Kendal fan hope it all works out the best for you and you come out of the financial problems as quickly as possible. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to whickham as the penultimate game of last season with everyone at the club being extremely welcoming. Hope to see you at the reverse fixture at the Westmorland flooring stadium at the end of January
Stuart Tones: All the best from a Heaton Stan fan. Hope it all works out for the best for you. I’ve enjoyed my visits with the Stan and for several other matches I’ve been to at Whickham Fc
Dean Knight: Such an amazing club in a difficult position I wish everyone at the club all the very beat and hope to see yous back on the pitch soon. South Shields fan 🟣🔵
Liam Heenan: My 1st club in the north east. Sad to see but all to common place now. I hope the situation is fixed quickly.
Pete Hart: Good luck for the rest of the season
Craig Down: Hope you get up & running soon Carlisle City fan
Stephen Page: Sometimes you’ve got to take a step or Two Back to secure the future of club for years to come, Hope yous get through this , as your a smashing club ⚽️⚽️
Tommy Twodarts Atkinson: Cmo’n Whickham fc you can do this keep fighting
Andy Mal: One of my former clubs… all the best in the challenge and hope to see some positive moves in the very near future.
John Graham: Sad news to read, good luck to all at Whickham FC
Peter Foster: Consett fan, always enjoyed visiting and sincerely hope you can turn this round, good to hear honest and heartfelt words from the board. Best wishes.
Tim Girvan: Good luck everyone concerned from Horden CW F.C.
Gary Smith: Sad indeed. I hope things take a turn for the better, one of my kids played there a few years ago and he loved it 🖤🤍
James Sharkey: All the best Whickham from a Benfield fan. You have to do what’s financially right for the football club. I hope the club pulls through this and gets playing football soon
Ruth Hetherington: You’re such a great club and I wish you all the best ❤️
