Smithfield Football Club withdraws from Adelaide Footy League season 2022

One of the Adelaide Footy League’s oldest clubs has asked supporters to stick by it as it attempts to rebuild after calling time on a second straight season.

A struggling footy club with more than 100 years of history has explained why it has withdrawn from the Adelaide Footy League for the second straight season having failed to rebuild after a year-long recess.

Smithfield Football Club was set to return to the league this year playing in division seven, and was confident of a bright future.

However, because of low volunteer numbers and persistent player shortages with players needing to put work above sport, the club cannot realistically participate in the 2022 season.

The club originally decided to call it quits for the 2021 season due to a lack of players, volunteers and sponsors after a tough Covid period in SA, but vowed to return in 2022.

In a statement released by the club, it was made clear this could not happen.

Smithfield Football Club's men's division five team during the club’s most recent season (2020). Picture: Supplied, Smithfield Football Club

“It is no secret our club took a huge financial hit during Covid and we saw a huge decrease in volunteers and members,” the statement reads.

“We have had a handful of dedicated committee members working extremely hard to keep morale and club spirit alive and well but unfortunately the movement of players out of the club in 2021 has not been recovered from for 2022.”

The club also assured it would be back and better than ever in the future despite recent hardships.

“We would like to make it very clear that our junior divisions are very much alive and thriving, doubling in numbers every year and our focus now turns to rebuilding from our juniors up,” the club stated.

“We have no doubt we will be back and better than ever. We just ask that our supporters and members stick with us through these tough times.”

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said he was empathetic toward the club’s struggles.

“Unfortunately, they’ve indicated they will not be able to regroup after going into recess last year,” Kernahan said.

President Ryan Hocking and football development manager Dwayne Nisbet will not see their beloved Panthers take to the field for a second straight year. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“The residual effect of Covid is more than just the virus itself and it is difficult enough to maintain an existing program at the best of times let alone facilitate what is in effect a whole rebuild.

“There is a significant level of volunteer fatigue coupled with players needing to prioritise work.”

Kernahan also said the competition was working with other clubs struggling ahead of April’s season start.

“We continue to consult with a small number of clubs to ensure they can get to the starting line for season 2022,” he said.

With Smithfield now out, division seven and division seven reserves will be cut to eight teams.

This has left the Adelaide Footy League with three options:

1. Match up the team which had the bye in each fixture with the team which was due to play Smithfield.

2. A complete redraw for an eight-team competition and have teams play two less matches.

3. A redraw for eight teams with three additional matches – top three play each other once and bottom four play each other once.

Division seven clubs are currently making the Adelaide Footy League aware of their preferences.

Smithfield Football Club declined to comment.