HAMWORTHY United FC has withdrawn from the Southern League due to an “untenable” financial situation.

The club was forced to ground share with near neighbours Weymouth after its County Ground home was ‘condemned’ by football authorities, who deemed the grandstand unsafe.

Plans have been submitted to demolish the stand, with a replacement being built.

However, in a statement signed by the chairman and board, the club said it had taken the decision to withdraw from the league “with immediate effect”.

“It is with profound regret that the club have written to the Southern League to inform them of our intention to withdraw from the league with immediate effect,” it said.

“The management and players have been informed.

“This decision has not been taken lightly. However, with the ongoing financial burden of being unable to play at our home ground together with the general costs of keeping a team in the Southern League, the financial position of the club has become untenable.

“In the best interests of the club we need to re-boot and concentrate on our Dorset Premier League team and the business.”

The club said if they continued to play in the league, the situation would deteriorate and put Hamworthy United FC at risk.

“If this decision was not taken now, in a very short space of time there would no longer be a Hamworthy United Football Club which is something we could not let happen.

“Thank you to all the management team, players current and past, supporters and sponsors for helping us have a fantastic few years, the best the club has ever experienced.”