A NORTH Ayrshire amateur side have announced that they have resigned from their league.

Kilwinning Football Academy (KFA) Amateurs had been competing in the various leagues across the county for the past 13 years before taking the difficult decision.

Previously known as Irvine AFC, the side had been competing in Ayrshire's top division - the Premier League.

They become the second side in the past two months to resign from the league after one of the area's oldest teams, Tarbolton AFC, also folded back in November.

It was a decision that the KFA committee "thought they'd never have to write" but on Friday, December 15, they confirmed the decision.

A spokesperson for the club said: "After 13 years as a club, this is a message I thought I’d never have to write.

"A message we now see so often from so many well run and established teams, some of whom have been around for decades with a wealth of history and experience behind them.

"Today is that day for our club, when unfortunately we had to inform the association that we cannot continue to see out the season.

"In recent weeks it has become very clear that we were starting to struggle to get a committed team on the park, and as the weeks went on, the opportunity to remain competitive each game was getting smaller by the day as numbers continued to drop.

"Today, unfortunately, we have had to take the harsh decision to resign from the association for the 2023/2024 season.

"We believe very strongly in the values of our sport and the competitions in which we play in, and to simply turn up week after week, struggling to put a team on the park and prolonging the inevitable, has brought an end to what has been a fantastic journey since we formed in 2011."

But as the club thanked players past and present, as well as the sponsors and supporters who made the past decade or so possible, they vowed that this is not the end.

They added: "Whilst this might be the end of our season, this is NOT the end for KFA Ammies.

"We may not currently be able to field a team on the park but off the park we still remain a very well run club and I can assure you we will be back!

"For now it’s farewell and best wishes to all the clubs in our association. It’s been a privilege to compete with you over the years."