Shaw Lane Aquaforce chairman Craig Wood
Shaw Lane Aquaforce have sensationally pulled out of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup, 24 hours before the final with Frickley Athletic at Bramall Lane.
Aquaforce chairman Craig Wood made the decision on Monday after failing to persuade the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA to rearrange it because of his club’s Evo Stik Division One South play-offs semi-final on Wednesday.
He has said it is the “hardest decision” his club has ever had to make.
Mr Wood told Non League Yorkshire on Sunday that his club could not cope with two important fixtures in 48 hours.
Mr Wood said on Monday: “We are devastated that we have had no option other than to withdraw from the competition.
“It has been the hardest decision that the club have ever had to make
“It would have been our first ever cup final and a game to look forward to and one that our players would have relished. To play the game would have put us at a massive disadvantage going into Wednesday’s play offs game as at least half of the team would have had to play in both games,
“There is also the players’ welfare to consider having to play two games in two days.
“It would never happen at a professional level so why should it happen at our level when these lads have honest jobs and are not athletes?”
The Sheffield & Hallamshire FA have issued a short statement saying: “It is hugely disappointing that Shaw Lane Aquaforce have chosen to withdraw from the competition at such short notice.
“We cannot comment further as a decision on the club’s withdrawal will have to be made in due course based on the rules of the competition.”