Sunday football giants in quit shock

For they have sensationally handed in their resignation from the Notts Sunday Morning League (NSML), of which they are the reigning champions.

The news broke only days before Celtic travel to Liverpool to take on Clubmoor Nalgo in the Fourth Round (last 16) of the prestigious Umbro competition on Sunday (kick-off 1 pm).

Club guru Peter Moody refused to divulge the reasons for Celtic s decision.

But they almost certainly stem from the bust-up last summer when Moody was controversially ousted from the NSML s management committee in an unprecedented vote, triggered by rival clubs.

So angry were Celtic that they threatened to quit the NSML there and then and made tentative inquiries about switching to the Long Eaton League.

Celtic were riled further in the opening match of this season when they accused newly promoted NED Stadium of fielding an ineligible player against them.

The NSML held an investigation but took no action and allowed Celtic s 1-0 defeat to stand.

Celtic s withdrawal will halt a remarkable period of dominance in which they established themselves as the Manchester United of Nottinghamshire Sunday football.

Since 1985, they have won a staggering total of 21 major honours, comprising ten NSML, Premier Premier Division championships, seven senior county cups and four NSML, Premier Section Cups.

They have been crowned NSML champions for the last five seasons and not finished out of the first two in 14 successive seasons!

Moody s only comments this week were: "It is not appropriate to make statements on why we have resigned.

"There are reasons on behalf of the club and also personal reasons.

"We have made a decision and it is no secret the players know all about it.

"We have only kept it going this season because of the players, who have been magnificent."

The big question now is: where does Celtic s future lie?

Moody is known to be seeking a job in Saturday football.

And he quashed reports that Celtic have applied to join the Long Eaton League, although they might yet do so.

It is even conceivable that the club will fold at the end of the season unless others step in to replace Moody, his number two, Paul 'Tiger Richardson and secretary Brian Pickering.

"As far as I am personally concerned, there is no going back," added Moody.

"We will not be competing in the Notts Sunday Morning League next season with the three of us involved.

"If someone else wants to come in and take over Rolls-Royce Celtic, that s fine.

"But at the moment, no decision has been taken about next season.

"All I am concentrating on is this Sunday s Umbro tie at Liverpool when we will be trying to represent this county as best we can."

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