Sheerness East were unable to end a disappointing season on a high after their final opponents of the season failed to turn up.

East, who were already relegated, were due to face Orpington at their Sheerness East Working Men’s Club home ground in the Kent County League, Premier Division.

They needed a win and for other results to go their way as they sought to climb off the bottom of the table.

Manager Dave Down (pictured right) first became aware that Orpington were struggling to field a team, apparently due to injuries, at 11am and was told just before 1pm that they wouldn’t be showing up.

"It was massively disappointing," said Down. "It’s really disappointing for a team to do that on the last day and it’s really demoralising."

The club had been working flat out in the morning to fix a broken hot water system and Down felt for all involved.

He said: "There were people at our club working all morning on getting us hot water, we got that sorted, the grass was cut and the pitch marked out and we were ready for the game.

"It was the last day and everyone wanted to play and we were denied the chance to have a proper farewell at the end of the season."

The League met on Monday evening to discuss the event and will be notifying teams of the outcome this week.