MOST READ (2023): Kilkenny soccer club chairman - 'We simply asked for help and it was refused'

Fort Rangers Chairman Jack Fitzpatrick has described the Kilkenny & District League's (KDL) refusal to grant Fort Rangers permission to move from the Premier Division to Division One as 'disappointing.'

On Monday afternoon, the club released a statement stating they wouldn't be 'participating in the Junior League of the KDL in the 2023/24 season.'  

In a lengthy post, published to the club's Facebook page, the Danesfort based team signposted the departure of 'over a dozen players' as the key reason for the announcement and despite signing a number of young players during the summer break, the club believes their current crop of players don't have the 'football experience' to compete in the top division.

Speaking on Community Radio Kilkenny City's 'Offside' programme, chairman Jack Fitzpatrick said: "Unfortunately because of the loss of players, we knew there was going to be a struggle ahead so we emailed the KDL in detail outlining our plight. We asked the KDL to give us a chance to rebuild, to regrade us back to Division One and give us a chance to compete in our 50th year at a lower level. On Friday evening we got a verbal reply that it was refused."

Following the announcement, the club held an 'emergency meeting' and subsequently emailed the league expressing their disappointment. No reply was received within 24 hours and the decision was made to make the club's position public.

"The bottom line is we’re a country club, 'struggle' is a word we’re well used to. We have no major sponsor and we depend on our community to support us. Our junior team is decimated at the moment, we simply asked for help and it was refused,” Fitzpatrick said.

"We’ve done our best, whatever the outcome, so be it. It’s very disappointing, it’s like when it starts to rain and someone takes the umbrella from you," adding, "in fairness, the lads on that committee, we know them, they’re as sound as you can get individually. We’re a community based club, we’re not out to damage or hurt anyone. I think as a group they might have a look and help us let our part of history happen."

The club has built a solid relationship with locals in the Danesfort locality and is keen to stay afloat, confirming the U17 team would be in action this season and is hopeful of building its underage structures.

The KDL is currently reviewing the situation and has been contacted for comment.