It is with deep regret that I must inform you the clubs committee has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the RFU league structure with immediate effect due to low playing numbers and inability field a regular side.

As you may be aware the club has suffered from several players retiring, resigning and moving on over the last few months. Numbers at Pre-season training have continually been low, despite the best efforts of the club and assistance from the RFU Development Officers. This weekend we were due to play Morley 3rds in a warm up game but only had 6 players available. Further discussions with players, team manager and captain made us realise we would be struggling to field a side for our opening game of the season at home to Knaresborough on 9th September with less than 10 players available. This we soon acknowledged would be an on-going issue for the whole season.

Therefore, the Committee has come to the difficult but unanimous decision to withdraw Garforth RUFC from the league structure in order we can regroup and reassess the clubs’ future. Our immediate plan is to gather players together and hopefully play a few club games during the 2017-18 season on ad-hoc basis. We will then access the situation into the New Year with a view to re-establishing a playing side in the Merit Tables. We wish to stress that we do not intend to completely fold the club and will continue to remain members of the YRFU and RFU.

The club would like to thank all the players and members who have supported us during this difficult time, and extend our thanks to Gregg Byliss and Jonny Stephenson at the RFU for their continued support. We would also like to apologise to the league secretaries and fellow clubs for the timing of our withdrawal coming on the eve of the start of a new and exciting season. We hope you will understand our predicament and have chosen to step down from league rugby now rather than potential disturbing the season by an untimely withdrawal during the playing season.

As always if you have any questions or concerns or wish us to elaborate on any points raised please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in rugby

Jonny Fallas
Club Secretary
Garforth RUFC