8th tier club apply for voluntary relegation as they explain decision behind “strategic reset”

eighth tier membership Mousehole apply for voluntary relegation as they clarify making determination behind a “strategic reset”.

They spent three seasons within the Southern League – South Division since being promoted to it within the 2022–23 season, changing into solely the second Cornish facet to succeed in step 4 of the non league soccer pyramid.

They completed fifth of their first season (2023/24), 58 factors from 36 video games performed, shedding 3-0 to Frome within the playoff semi ultimate.

Then for 2024/25, they ended up sixth with 72 factors from 42 video games performed, 2 factors from the playoff locations. However this season, completed seventeenth with 45 factors, two factors above the drop zone.

CLUB STATEMENT: A NEW CHAPTER

Mousehole AFC can verify it’s making use of for voluntary relegation from the Southern League to the South West Peninsula League for 2026/27.

It is a strategic reset designed to assist the membership regroup, rebuild sustainably and strengthen soccer… pic.twitter.com/Ti5gf7GERZ

— 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗖 (@MouseholeAFC) Might 8, 2026

They stated in a press release on the eighth of Might:

Following cautious consideration, Mousehole AFC can verify that the membership is proposing a strategic reset by making use of for voluntary relegation from the Southern League Division One South and in search of entry into the South West Peninsula League for the 2026/27 season.

After reviewing all choices, the board believes that taking a step again now offers one of the best platform to rebuild on stronger and extra sustainable foundations for the longer term.

Over the previous decade, Mousehole AFC has been on some of the exceptional journeys in Cornish soccer. Collectively, gamers, workers, volunteers, supporters and sponsors have helped take a small village membership in West Cornwall to a degree many thought unimaginable. Alongside the way in which, we’ve celebrated league titles, unforgettable events, nationwide recognition, and created a soccer membership that has turn out to be some of the recognised and revered in Cornwall.

The membership want to place on report its heartfelt because of everybody who has contributed to that journey. From volunteers and supporters to gamers, coaches, sponsors and native companies, this rise merely wouldn’t have been potential with out the dedication, perception and dedication of so many individuals throughout our neighborhood.

However the actuality is that the monetary calls for of working at Step 4 degree — significantly given our location on the far western fringe of the nation — have elevated considerably lately. Rising journey and operational prices, infrastructure necessities, the impression of VAT, and debt accrued throughout the membership’s speedy development imply that now’s the suitable second to regroup, reassess and construct once more from a place of power.

Importantly, this isn’t a step again in ambition. It’s a step ahead in technique.

With key foundations already in place — together with improved infrastructure, rising assist, a powerful id inside the neighborhood and past, and the alternatives created by the brand new street improvement at Trungle Parc — the membership believes it’s well-positioned to take a extra deliberate and sustainable method transferring ahead.

The main target for the upcoming interval will embody:

– Strengthening youth pathways and native engagement

– Constructing a sturdy and aligned management workforce on and off the pitch

– Growing a sustainable industrial mannequin

– Decreasing long-term reliance on benefactors

– Maximising the alternatives created by the membership’s infrastructure and new street improvement

– Persevering with to develop soccer alternatives throughout youth, ladies’s and males’s soccer

Our intention is to create a real community-driven soccer membership that may thrive for generations to come back, whereas persevering with to signify West Cornwall with pleasure.

The long-term imaginative and prescient stays clear. We have now not given up on the dream of top-level soccer in West Cornwall. Removed from it. It is a second to mirror, reset and work relentlessly in the direction of making a soccer membership able to attaining nice issues once more sooner or later — however this time on the strongest and most sustainable foundations potential.

Chair Deryk Heywood stated:

“Mousehole AFC has all the time tried to do the suitable factor, not merely the straightforward factor. This determination displays our dedication to defending the long-term way forward for the soccer membership and constructing one thing sustainable for our gamers, supporters and wider neighborhood.

“We’re extremely happy with what has been achieved over the previous few years. The journey this membership has been on has been extraordinary. However now’s the time to regroup, reconnect with our neighborhood roots, and make it possible for no matter comes subsequent is constructed to final.

“This isn’t the top of ambition at Mousehole AFC. It’s the starting of a brand new chapter.”

Right here’s how followers reacted after listening to that the eighth tier membership have took to use for voluntary relegation as they clarify the choice behind a “strategic reset”…

@UpTheWakes: Actually unhappy to learn however not unsurprising! That’s two from the identical league after Portishead floor grading demotion! Step 4 is hard financially not to mention with their huge journey!

@YouYeltz: I all the time really feel a bit deflated after I see golf equipment taking voluntary relegation however then, on the identical time, I wrestle to see how golf equipment like Mousehole can survive, not to mention compete, with this quantity of journey. It’s laborious to know what one of the best answer is, actually.

@NonLeagueMaps: @BourneTownFC, @SportingKhalsa or @WillandRovers, @BashleyFootball this information alongside Portishead impacts reprieves for two of you.

@VFTAE: It’s taking place an increasing number of. It’s more and more troublesome to be financially sustainable. Admittedly, Mousehole can have acute journey price challenges. Greatest needs to ’em 💪

@zz511965: As a Didcot fan who travelled down, I’d prefer to thanks in your wonderful hospitality. You might be superior. Soccer shouldn’t be sustainable geographically at Southern League degree. Video games that are over 250 miles away and contain 2 full days of travelling are fairly frankly lunacy.

@Sherpa_Lard: Travelled down to observe melksham play you this season. Superb floor and tremendous pleasant membership. All one of the best for the upcoming seasons

@wheeler182: That’s an actual disgrace. As a Melksham fan Mousehole away, (though the longest journey) was the one I appeared ahead to probably the most. Good luck in no matter occurs.

@tigerroarcouk: such a disgrace, the pyramid must stretch it’s geography and it was daring of Mousehole to strive however taking two hours to get out of Cornwall after which onto an away recreation should take it’s toll.

@ayresy76: Travelled down final season with Thatcham City and should say I cant consider a friendlier membership and set of followers that couldn’t do sufficient for us. Good luck in your new chapter 👍 Oh and people pasties had been 💯

@thefarmilybmf: Unhappy to listen to this, an extended however all the time enjoyable away day for us within the Farmy Military. Nicely run membership and play soccer the suitable means. Good luck and perhaps see you once more sooner or later. (Ps – can we’ve Josh Bisset again please!?🙏)

@RonaldA90333864: Should have been a tough determination to make however a call to be made with a heavy coronary heart. All one of the best for the longer term.

@ScaleSilver49: Gutting information have to be journey problem unhappy to see, non league soccer wants extra assist