CAUSEWAY United have been forced to blow the final whistle on their 60 year history.

Committee members met on Tuesday and decided they would have no choice but to bring an end to the club after finding it too difficult to compete financially at their level of football.

United's general secretary Frank Webb said: "It is a very sad day but we felt that we had no other option.

"We met for more than two-and-a-half hours on Tuesday and discussed all of our options for the future. However, it was eventually decided that not would be the right time to do it.

"We have never paid players to play for us and have always stuck to that, but it is now impossible or us to compete with the clubs at or level and the teams that will be coming into this league next season."

Causeway ended last season's campaign in 14th place in the Midland Football League's Premier Division under the guidance of manager Mark Jones.

They had only recently agreed with Halesowen Town that they would be able to continue using The Grove next season.

"We have got to the stage where if we are to continue we would have to find some money," added Webb.

"That would be a massive risk and still wouldn't guarantee that players would stay with us. They could still leave if offered a little bit more money.

"We would like to thank all of our former players and managers for everything they have done, as well as the support we have had off the field over the years."

Causeway were members of the Birmingham and District AFA between 1972 and 1998, winning its Intermediate Cup in the 1990/91 season and its Premier Division title in both 1996/97 and 1997/98.

The club moved to the West Midlands Regional League Division one (South) in 1998 and also found a home with Halesowen Town at The Grove after leaving the Somers Sports Ground.

That same season they finished runners up to Wellington to secure promotion to the Premier Division.

In the 2001/2002 season, United won the Premier Division and moved to the Midland Football Alliance, where they stayed for 12 consecutive years.

The club's 50th season in 2006/07 saw them move home once again, this time to share with Tividale. The team enjoyed its most successful season in the FA Cup and FA Vase, reaching the last 16 in the latter.

The following season saw them move once more as they played games at Stourbridge's memorial Ground. Under new manager Carl Burley they bagged sixth position, their best since joining the Alliance.

Causeway, now playing in the renamed Midland Football League, eventually returned to The Grove.
This season saw manager Andy Mole step down to be replaced by his assistant Mark Jones halfway through the campaign. He then guided the club to a mid-table position.