Canvey poised to quit Conference

Jeff King took over at Canvey Island in 1992

Cash-strapped Canvey Island are poised to withdraw from the Conference National division at the end of the season, reports BBC Essex.

Manager and director Jeff King wants to stop bankrolling Canvey and poor ticket sales means the club must cut costs.

"I have been thinking about this since last summer," said King. "We have gone up six Leagues in the last ten years and yet still people have not come."

The club have until 13 May to submit their application to resign.

An official notice of their resignation would then be made at the Conference AGM on 3 June.

If they withdrew from the Conference, they are expected to apply for a place in the Ryman Premier Division or they could drop down to the Essex Senior League.

King's businesses have sustained Canvey's climb up the non-league ladder to the Conference since he became manager in 1992.

The businessman has pledged not to "cut his ties" with the club but assistant manager Glenn Pennyfather says it is an end of an era for the part-timers.

"There'll be a lot of sadness when we walk out of the door for the last time," he said.

"The dream is over but there is a bright future."