Ambitious 10th tier club withdraws from league with immediate effect 10 games into new season

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Ambitious tenth tier club Doncaster City have withdrawn from the league with immediate effect, 10 games into the new season.

Last season they were 16th with 45 points from 42 games and this season they were 5th with 17 points from 10 games until their record was broken.

They have hit the headlines in recent years, from signing experienced ex-EFL players to applying for the Scottish Cup and submitting impressive plans for an elite-level football training center, which were rejected before being resubmitted in 2026.

Alliance statement:

Macron North Counties East Football League can confirm that Doncaster City Football Club has resigned from its membership of the league with immediate effect.

The league has officially confirmed receipt of the club’s resignation and will now proceed in accordance with the FA National League System regulations and the Northern Counties Eastern Football League rules.

As a Step 6 club withdrawing from the competition this season, Doncaster City’s match record will be removed from the league’s current season records.

As a result, all matches involving the club will be cancelled, and any results, points, goals and goals conceded recorded for matches involving Doncaster City during the 2026/27 season will be removed from the league tables and associated statistical records.

The Northern Counties East Football League recognizes that this news will be disappointing to the club’s players, management, volunteers, supporters and sponsors.

The League thanks Doncaster City Football Club for their involvement during its membership and wishes everyone associated with the club the best for the future.

The league will have no further comment at this time.

The website will be updated with the adjusted Division One tables and fixtures in due course.

The day after head coach John Bowney announced his departure, a post on the club’s Facebook page read:

“It is with a heavy heart that I resign as head coach of Doncaster City Football Club with immediate effect.

“When I was asked to take on this role, our primary objective was simple: avoid relegation and secure our place in Step 6 football. Taking on this challenge with a young, inexperienced U18s side was not easy, but to finish 11 points above the relegation zone and achieve some incredible results along the way is something I will always be proud of when I took on the job.
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“To all players past and present: thank you for everything you have given me and the club. Your hard work, dedication and effort have never gone unnoticed.

“To the volunteers and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes: thank you for keeping the club running every day.

“Finally, to the supporters: thank you for supporting me and the boys through every high and low. You’ve been fantastic.”

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Here’s how fans reacted when the ambitious 10th tier club withdrew from the league with immediate effect 10 games into the new season…

@tnekmail: Another lesson that I’m sure non-league football will never learn…

@shenarc86: Another club in step 6 was also eliminated. In this case, they were founded just four years ago and are only in their second season in Step 6.

@Josh_Dainty: Hate to say I told you this was the right tone. #drfc

@j17_jj: Haha, I thought this city was blue 😂😂 #DRFC

Tony Joe Dell: Thank you, John will miss the club and hopefully we can meet again and it won’t feel the same again. Thank you for everything you did to Ben Dale to help him become a better footballer and make him a top goalscorer

Louis Blanken: Thanks John, it’s been a journey 🩵

David Ott: I wish you all the best, John, and we’ll definitely see your name again. Be proud of what you have achieved and the opportunities you have created.

Louise Bowes: Wish John all the best for the future! Thank you for everything Ollie.

Andrew Billups: Well done. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, man.

Russ Shelbourne: Good luck to you, John, in whatever you do in the future. We will miss you 🩵

Chris Vesey: Remember all the bluster and big talk about being a force in the league? They are not the first, nor will they be the last

Wayne Stockton: There are a lot of players out there, leading to other clubs competing for them.

Jack Snowden: It’s inevitable, isn’t it? This model is unsustainable. Feeling sorry for the supporters and volunteers



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