FC Stratford were left with little option but to withdraw from the National League System after the club failed to find a replacement for chairman Steve Sykes, who has revealed the circumstances behind his departure.

The Bears formally notified the United Counties League and the Football Association of their decision to withdraw from the Premier Division South and the National League System with immediate effect, confirming the news in a statement on Saturday evening.

Sykes, who resigned as chairman two weeks earlier, revealed that the intention had been for someone else to take over and allow the club to continue.

However, with nobody coming forward to accept the responsibility, the committee was left with little alternative.

“When I stepped away two weeks ago, the intention was for someone else to take over as chairman and for the club to carry on,” said Sykes.

"Unfortunately, nobody came forward to take on that responsibility, which left the committee in a very difficult position and ultimately with no alternative but to withdraw."

The decision brings an abrupt halt to the Bears' first season in the UCL, following their promotion as Hellenic League Division One champions last season.

It follows a turbulent period for the club, with title-winning manager Adam Parker leaving to take charge of Pershore Town before his replacement, Arron Cheshire, resigned in October. Sykes subsequently stepped down as chairman.

The withdrawal had initially been confirmed to the league and FA on Thursday, with UCL fixture director Roger Walker revealing that attempts had been made to persuade FC Stratford to remain in the league.

The club subsequently issued its formal statement at 7pm on Saturday, thanking its committee, players, management staff, volunteers and supporters for their commitment.

It added that further statements regarding the future direction of the club would be issued in due course.

Sykes, who has been involved in football for 54 years, said his own departure had been a personal decision rather than one driven by financial considerations.

Having recently turned 60, he felt the time was right to put himself and his family first after decades of involvement in the game.

"I'd planned to step away two seasons ago, but nobody came forward to take over as chairman, so I carried on," he said.

"There wasn't really one particular tipping point. I just reached a stage where I felt I'd given football enough of my time and wanted to enjoy other things in life."

Sykes said he was particularly disappointed to see the club withdraw after everything achieved over the years, paying tribute to the players, management and people who had worked behind the scenes. However, he does not believe the decision signals the end of the Bears.

"With the right people involved and someone prepared to take the club forward, there's absolutely no reason why it can't rebuild and come back stronger," he said.

"Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to move forwards, and hopefully that's what will happen with FC."

Sykes also confirmed that he has no intention of returning to football, having decided that his time in the game has come to an end.

"Football can take over your life,” he said. “Particularly when you're running a club, and people don't always appreciate just how much time and commitment goes into it.

"I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife Helen, my family and playing a bit of golf.

"I'll always look back on my time at FC with pride. We've achieved some fantastic things together, and I've made some lifelong friends along the way. But for me, it's time for a new chapter."

The withdrawal has also been met with disappointment by Stratford Town chairman Jed McCrory, whose club hosted the Bears' home matches at the Arden Garages Stadium.

McCrory revealed that Stratford Town had attempted to help save the club after learning of its predicament, but those efforts proved unsuccessful.

"I found out by text from Jordan, our groundsman, shortly after 9pm on November 3," he said.

"The following morning, we contacted the league to try to resurrect FC Stratford, but to no avail.

"I know the effort that Pete and Chris Stephens, Hayley Sammon, Dave Poulson and Steve Sykes, alongside many, many others, have put into FC Stratford over the years.

"No one is to blame - the rising costs of simply keeping the club afloat have made things increasingly difficult. The money and energy that have gone into FC Stratford over the years are immeasurable, and this will be particularly sad for those who have put so much into the club."

McCrory warned that the financial pressures facing non-league football are becoming increasingly difficult to manage and fears more clubs could suffer a similar fate without changes to funding.

"The cost of running these clubs nowadays, as I have consistently said, is becoming extremely difficult, and I fear that unless something is done regarding funding, more clubs will fall," he said.

He also highlighted the potential consequences for younger players, questioning where those coming through junior football will go once they reach the age of 18.

McCrory believes Stratford Town are now the only men's team of note in the town playing on a Saturday, and revealed that the club will consider whether to introduce another side next summer.

"We will review in the summer whether to put together another team, be it a development or reserve team, to continue to support the community," he said.

The Bards chairman has urged people to support their local sports clubs, warning that their loss could have a lasting impact on opportunities for young people.

He added: “It is a clear message up and down the country: support your local sports clubs or you may lose them, and then where do our kids play sport and have hope of making it into the professional or semi-professional game?”