SENIOR football in Rosyth looks set to come to an end after more than 30 years after the town's club announced that they are to fold.

Rosyth FC, who were founded in 1992, are to cease operating after they said they couldn't agree to new terms in relation to a proposed move to play at Pitreavie.

In a statement, the club said: "It is with huge reluctance and sadness that Rosyth FC Seniors have to announce, with immediate effect, they are closing the doors on the club.

"Due to recent developments and amendments to previously agreed terms, the club cannot agree to the new terms being forced upon us in respect of our proposed ground development, making the club not financially sustainable.

"Throughout the whole campaign of attempting to get a new facility, after being asked to leave Recreation Park several years ago, the club have conducted their business respectfully and with integrity.

"As a club, we sympathise with the local community, as we know how close to all your hearts the club was. This has been a horrendous decision to have to make however we have been left with no alternative."

The club, which has played in the East of Scotland League set-up since 2020 after leaving junior football, have been searching for a permanent base since leaving their home at Recreation Park, Admiralty Road, in April 2018.

They were asked to leave after Fife Council agreed to sell the land, and plans were approved, for a Lidl supermarket. As part of the deal, the developer, Mactaggart & Mickel, was to provide a 'like for like' replacement pitch and facilities.

There were plans for that to be created at the Fleet Grounds, where the team have been playing matches, but that site was ruled out when the council, in November 2020, decided that the replacement Inverkeithing High School would be built there.

It looked like a solution was found with a new astroturf pitch and facilities built at Pitreavie - finished in the past month - but the club say they can't afford to move there and, to compound matters, Lidl cancelled their plans for a supermarket in Rosyth in December.

Rosyth chairman, Russell Craig, informed the team's players of the decision on Tuesday evening, and told the Press: "As a club, we are absolutely devastated.

"We know important we were to the local community and this has not been an easy decision in any way shape or form. It's been brutal.

"I cannot thank current players, ex-players, current committee, ex-committee, current sponsors, ex-sponsors, enough for the support that they've given us over the years in relation to everything they've done for us.

"The club could not sign an agreement which would ultimately see us in financial crisis in a couple of years."

Dunfermline and West Fife MP, Douglas Chapman, who has been working with all parties to try and find a solution, said: "This is an extremely sad day for the club and the community as Rosyth FC not only represented the town but gave a lot of local kids the opportunity to play football.

"I met with club officials over the Christmas holidays and they were deeply concerned as Lidl had pulled out of their commitment the build a store on the ground once occupied by Rosyth FC. I alerted the Council as they were involved in the Lidl deal and asked to have all parties around the table so we could work towards a solution which would give all parties a win-win from what was a difficult situation.

"Such a meeting was not possible and while the various parties have been in discussion individually with the Council it has become apparent that no solution that meets Rosyth FC requirements could be found.

"I hope this is not the end of the matter but something will need to give and an alternative funding package offered if anything can be rescued from the situation."

Alan Paul, head of Fife Council's property services, said it was "really disappointing that Rosyth FC has decided to close its doors, and that the council hard worked hard to support the club with a move to new facilities".

He commented: "Since Lidl took the decision in December to withdraw from longstanding proposals to purchase land at Admiralty Road Rosyth, we have been supporting discussions between Rosyth FC and the operator of the sport facilities at Pitreavie.

"While the council has no planning or legal obligation to rehome the club, we have done our best to help them through this process.

"We will continue to work with local stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the club's decision and to support the development of sports provision for Rosyth and surrounding communities."

The Press has attempted to make contact with the operators of Pitreavie Sport and Soccer Centre for comment.

Rosyth, currently managed by former Pars favourite, Stevie Crawford, added that Rosyth Football Club Youth would not be affected as they are run separately.