SALISBURY City fans were in tears this week after learning that full time had been blown on their beloved club.

Shocked supporters gathered outside the club's Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Monday evening, after hearing the news that the club had withdrawn from the Dr Martens League, effectively pulling the plug on 55 years of football in the city.

Director Robert Wike cited projected losses of almost £100,000 for the season ahead which kicks off in four weeks' time as the reason for withdrawing the Old Sarum outfit.

The decision angered supporters and businessmen in the area who had rushed to the club's aid only 72 hours earlier for an emergency meeting, where a fighting fund was set up to raise money to help keep the club alive.

City's players were stunned when they arrived at the ground for a training session on Monday evening, only to be told there was no longer a club to play for.

The Whites were due to face Brockenhurst last night in their first pre-season friendly under new boss Ken Cunningham-Brown, before playing two high-profile home matches against Yeovil Town and AFC Bournemouth. Special permission has been granted for the Yeovil match to go ahead.

Millionaire businessman and racehorse trainer Mr Cunningham-Brown had threatened to quit last week, after failing to reach an agreement with Mr Wike on the way the club's first team would be funded.

However, after a passionate plea from supporters and businessmen at Friday's extraordinary meeting, he decided to continue preparations for the season ahead.

Despite more than £10,000 being raised over the weekend by supporters, and pledges of more to follow from the city's business community, Mr Wike told league secretary Dennis Strudwick at teatime on Monday that the club would not be fulfilling its coming fixtures.