Richard Newsome has pledged that Winchester City will continue to flourish despite the sudden departure of club benefactor, vice chairman and director of football, David Malone.

The City chairman paid tribute this week to the work done by Malone during almost three years at Abbotts Barton. "I've enjoyed working with David and the club has come a long way on the pitch with much of the success due to his efforts. "We'll certainly miss his passionate no-holds-barred approach and, of course, he's made a huge financial contribution to the club.

"But there's a time when you have to say enough is enough and I respect and admire his courage and honesty in making clear his position."

Malone is thought to have invested more than £100,000 in City, but had become frustrated that promotion to the Ryman League wouldn't improve the attendances at home games.

"It's almost a booby prize, because we have a team that's as good as you'll get," he told me.

"But to be a force at a higher level there needs to be a lot more money and backing than I'm able to give."

He says he'd like to remain active with another club and has already been approached by several.

Meanwhile, Newsome has pledged to take City onwards and upwards in the future.

"David's legacy is a club with a fantastic squad of players, in sound financial shape and with an infrastructure that can carry us forward. "What I want to do now is to involve everyone - from the players to the supporters - to ensure that we have a consensus about where we want to go."

Newsome confirmed that City have made an application to join the Ryman League, should they win the SWL this season.

"We'd need to extend our seating capacity by 75 places and we'd also like to provide a covered terrace area at the ground.

"But we have to be realistic about how far we can go in the football pyramid and ensure that we have a thriving community club where the youth teams matter just as much as the seniors.

"That's what really matters."