WELLINGTON have pulled out of the Hellenic League, saying they feel they’ve gone as far as they can with the players available to them in Herefordshire.

The Division One West side said adult football had “not been in the best condition in recent years”, and there was a small pool of talent for a number of teams in Herefordshire.

The club, based in the village north of Hereford off the A49, was still expected to take part in the Herefordshire FA County this season.

Chairman Phil Smith said: “The club and management team feel that we have gone as far as we can go with the group of players we have got available to us.

“Running a football club is all about the journey, and sometimes you need to stop and look at exactly what you are doing and where you are going. This is one of those times and it is our choice.

“Adult 11v11 football has not been in the best condition in recent years within the county and the player pool is small for the number of teams competing for them.”

He said the club found itself in a situation where average ability players at a much lower level are being offered money to play, and in some cases, offered incentives just to sign on to a certain club.

“This is not necessarily to get the best team out on the field, it’s probably for the club to be able to field a team at all,” he said.

“Our club is not prepared to compete in this arena and find the process somewhat ‘demeaning’ and goes against our own footballing morals and values.”

He said the Herefordshire FA’s move into step seven of the non-league pyramid was a “huge step to establishing a sought after and competitive league”.

“It will be a major target for our club going forward,” Mr Smith added.

“Wellington is in a sound place, we have great people around us. We are financially very secure and have very good sponsors. The facilities we have are excellent and the ground second to none.”

He said the club’s legacy was to secure a footballing future for generations to come, but for now it would focus on the positive things the club brings to its friends, members and the local community.

“We will maintain our competitiveness, and we will still be a difficult team to beat,” he added.

Wellington have faced two season curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic after they sealed the long-awaited move from the West Midlands (Regional) League.