25/08/2025
END OF AN ERA
Doune Castle AFC Resigns From The Caledonian League
It is with overwhelming disappointment Doune Castle AFC must announce our decision to resign from the Caledonian League, with immediate effect, thus ending 71 years of continuous participation in amateur football.
This is not a step a club of our long-standing has taken lightly.
Having endured a problematic season in 2024-25, we entered this pre-season optimistically. We believed we had secured a commitment from sufficient players to allow us to be competitive in the Caledonian League Premier Division.
The relatively late change of heart from a significant number of players, however, saw that position change dramatically. Despite extensive efforts over recent weeks, we have been unable to recruit new players. Indeed, we have seen others subsequently leave due to the obvious fragility of our position. We are simply too far removed from being able to field a team and with no immediate prospect of doing so.
We have also been unable to add to our coaching team, leaving George Ward, our manager, bearing an unfair and onerous responsibility for all aspects of team affairs. We will always be indebted to George for the outstanding success he has brought to the club and for the great dignity and unrelenting commitment he has shown to our cause, especially over recent weeks.
During our 71 years, Doune Castle has enjoyed a level of success of which everyone ever associated with our club - as player, coach, committee member, supporter, or sponsor - will always be justifiably proud. As a small village team, we are proud of the impact we have made in the amateur game in Scotland. Our thanks to absolutely everyone who has played any part in the Castle’s momentous journey.
We have taken pride in our contribution to the Caledonian League and, previously, to the Stirling and District AFA. Across those Leagues, and more widely across the amateur game in Scotland, we have forged so many valued friendships. We record our sincere appreciation to all League Officials and the Scottish Amateur Football Association. We wish you all well for the future.
We do not know what the future holds for our club. Our history shows the club first formed around 1908. The Castle’s re-birth in 1954 started the journey that must now end. If we can restore the solidity of foundation that has been the bedrock of our club for so long, Doune Castle AFC may yet again appear on the amateur football landscape.
In the meantime, we finish this statement by thanking all our past and current players, managers, supporters, and sponsors for your part in the rich history of this great club
Yours in Sport,
Doune Castle AFC
