Keswick Football Club men’s team are embarking on a fresh challenge by joining the Cumberland County League (CCL).
A decision to go west as new members of CCL’s second tier – Division I – ends the club’s long and successful association with the Westmorland League.
During the past 11 years, Keswick were Westmorland League first division champions four times and runners-up on two occasions.
Indeed, in the last full season before the Covid pandemic, Keswick’s first and reserve teams topped Divisions I and II.
But secretary, groundsman and welfare officer Martin Thwaites said the club had struggled to field two teams since the full restart, culminating with the withdrawal of their reserves midway through the 2022-23 campaign.
There had been casual conversations about a switch to the CCL in recent years. And an application to join has now been given the green light, meaning there will be fewer games overall and no midweek league fixtures.
“Perhaps the main reason for the change was just to provide a fresh challenge and to re-motivate the players,” said Martin.
First team players are set to return to pre-season training on Wednesday with a number of friendlies already arranged before the new campaign kicks off.
Mike Frampton, who was in charge on match days last season, will continue to take midweek training sessions with a new, yet-to-be confirmed management team at the helm for 2023-24.
It is hoped that members of the club’s current under-16 squad could progress into senior football by joining the Westmorland League in the near future.
