LEIGH Genesis will no longer operate at semi-professional level.

The club’s committee took the decision on Tuesday after confirming the team to be homeless.

On that basis, they withdrew the application to join the North West Counties League in 2011/12 following relegation from Evo-Stik League First Division North.

Crilly Park, last season’s temporary home after terms could not be agreed for a future at Leigh Sports Village Stadium – their home in 2009/10 after leaving Hilton Park – was not considered to be a financially viable option.

Leigh Genesis’ growing junior section and youth programme will continue as usual.

Genesis manager Alan Kershaw took the reins part way through last season and blooded several youngsters into first-team action.

“This is incredibly disappointing,” he said.

“With a bustling junior section and 30 full-time youth players affiliated to the club, we have the most amazing foundations and it is difficult to understand why Leigh Genesis can’t play in Leigh and cannot be given the base that it deserves.”

Genesis had been hoping to secure a deal to share with Leigh Athletic FC at Leigh Harriers’ athletics ground within Leigh Sports Village but none has been forthcoming, while the committee pointed out that no other suitable venue is available.

Even the assistance of Leigh MP Andy Burnham was not enough to find a solution for the club to continue operating its senior side.

Matt Lawton, secretary of the Leigh Genesis Supporters Association and also the club’s press officer, has been left downcast.

He said: “I and many others have enjoyed supporting the club over the years and will enjoy memories that will last a lifetime.

“It’s such a shame that the club has been left with no option but to call it a day at senior level because of the issues that always seem to stem back to not having our own home ground.

“Since leaving Hilton Park, it’s been virtually one huge nightmare, despite the club and it’s supporters trying to make the best of a bad situation.

“Let’s be honest, you don’t expect to outlive the football club that you support, do you?”

It remains clear that Genesis’ committee and supporters feel let down by the proceedings that resulted in the team moving out of Leigh Sports Village after just one season at the ground.