HALLEN AFC has said discussions about the team's future will continue following the resignation of four Almondsbury Parish Councillors.


The football club, which announced that it may be forced to fold after it was told by the parish council to hand over the keys to the Hallen Centre earlier this year, was successful in collecting over 3,000 signatures and remaining on the site.


The club has responded to the news that Cllrs Cliff Hilliker (chairman) and Shelagh Fulton, Liz Rowe and Richards Jones have all resigned from the parish council.


In a statement, the club said: “A new parish council has been formed and Cllr Phil Hall (Hallen ward) is now the chairman. Hallen AFC are very pleased to welcome Cllr Hall to his new role and look forward to being able to work with him and the council.


“Further council members will either be elected or co-opted at a later date.


“As the two main councillors involved in making decisions regarding the Hallen Centre are now gone, discussions will now be continuing with Cllrs Hall, Tubb and Burchell, and these discussions will include other groups that use the centre and villagers.


“Both the parish council and Hallen AFC are now committed to overcoming any problems and finding a way to make the Hallen Centre work so that it can be used and enjoyed by the Hallen community.


“This has been a difficult time for Hallen AFC and we have very much appreciated the support given by everyone.

"There is still a lot of work to be done but we hope to have positive news soon and ask for your continued patience as we work with APC during this period of change.”


Thousands of people united to oppose the parish council's decision to evict the club from its ground, which also houses the village's community centre, after the two failed to agree a lease for the site.


The club announced it was staying after receiving confirmation from the solicitors of the parish council in June.


Cllr Hall said each councillor had resigned for their own reasons.


"The parish council is grateful to them for all their hard work and dedicated service," he said.


"The vacancies have been advertised and we have been informed by South Gloucestershire Council that a by-election will be held at the request of parishioners.

"The date of the election will be confirmed by the returning officer in due course."