Mininera and District Football Netball League president John Box said he will not close the door on flailing club Smythesdale, despite its bid to join the league being denied this week.
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Box said he was disappointed his league could not cater for the Bulldogs. The MDFL clubs going to a vote on whether Smythesdale should be included, needing 75% of the vote, it fell short, but Box said “it was close”.
It looks likely Smythesdale will go into recess, Box not ruling out the possibility of revisiting this discussion in the coming years.
“I was a bit disappointed they didn’t get in,” Box said.
The door is not shut for Smythesdale.
- Mininera District Football League president John Box
“But we’ve got to look after the Mininera clubs.
“People just don’t want to travel, most of the players are coming from out of the area now.
“The door is not shut for Smythesdale.
“12 months is a long time in football.
“We’re not shutting the door, I hate country football clubs falling over.
“Smythesdale’s a growing area, they’ve got a good chance of building their club up...it’s just unfortunate that travelling is an issue for everyone these days.”
Smythesdale president John Cranny said going into recess looked likely, which will be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting.
In a statement posted on the club’s Facebook page, the Bulldogs outlined their disappointment and its current position.
“We have a strong committee, we have a full club but somehow we don’t have a league to play in,” Cranny said.
“Personally, we are devastated.
“Our probable action at this point will be to go into recess, rather than fold, which would enable us to restart some time in the future.
“We realise this is disappointing to say the least, for everyone concerned.
“It seems wrong that we have such a great club, such awesome facilities, but are unable to play.”
After a couple years without a senior team in the Central Highlands Football League, Smythesdale made a bid to join the Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball League – which was denied. It was then told rejoining the CHFL was not an option, which led the club to MDFL and ultimately to the current situation.