JUST a couple of months after defeating Premier Division outfit Westbury Rangers A in the final of the presstoprint-sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup and winning the Second Division title ahead of fierce rivals Cooper-Avon, Devizes-based Crown Cosmos have stunned the league by withdrawing their membership for next season.

Crown Cosmos only joined the league in 2005 as The Southgate Inn and the team, under manager Julian Alexander and made up of many former Devizes Townplayers, were an instant success as they lifted the Fourth Division title ahead of Bradford-based Plough FC with a record of played 22, won 19, drawn 3.

In the process they scored 135 goals and conceded just 28. That season also saw their veteran striker David Lloyd finish top of the Division Four goal scoring charts with 37 goals and he was also voted the league player of the season.

In the 2006/07 season, Alexander led his team to the Third Division title ahead of Cooper-Avon and for a second successive campaign the team looked as if they would remain unbeaten all term that was until they lost 3-2 away at Wheatsheaf in their penultimate match of the season.

Southgate also reached the Knockout Cup final where they were comprehensively beaten 6-0 by top flight side Corsham Centre.

A change of name and manager didn't alter their fortunes in the season just finished. Under the guidance of Will Kibby and now called Crown Cosmos further success followed. Cosmos won the Second Division on goal difference from Cooper-Avon after both sides had finished a gruelling season with 38 points.

Cosmos had to come from behind to take the title and five matches in 11 days from the start of May saw them bang home 41 goals which helped them finish seven clear of the Avon boys. Cosmos also put the disappointment of losing out in the Knockout Cup final the previous season behind them as they gained a 1-0 victory over Westbury Rangers A in a showdown at Chippenham Town's ground, with Dean Potters coring a stunning extra-time winner.

Club secretary and manager Will Kibby was very disappointed that he had to take the decision to withdraw from the league. Kibby said that the club have enjoyed their short time in the league and that he personally would like to continue, but unfortunately a number of players are unable to commit next season, leaving the side very short of players for the challenge ahead. This is mainly due to family commitments, given the age of most of the players are aged over 30.

Kibby had offered the management role up to anyone else that might have had new ideas or could bring in new players, but no-one stepped forward to do the job so it was with great sadness that Kibby was left with no other option than to close the book on a short but rewarding chapter in the history of the Chippenham League.