The future of Isthmian League South Central Division One FC Romania is uncertain after Chairman and Manager Ionut Vintila confirmed on social media he was stepping down from duties at the club.
Vintila, was key in propelling the club from Hackney Marshes in 2006 all the way to the Isthmian League in the summer of 2018 after a successful promotion from the Essex Senior League.
Romania, who ground share with fellow Isthmian League side Cheshunt in Hertfordshire and play in the same division as Bracknell Town, was founded by a group of Romanian workers and enjoyed a meteoric rise from the London Sunday Weekend League through the Essex Football League, Middlesex County League and then the Essex Senior.
Writing on Twitter, Vintila said: “I never wanted to write this words, to feel that this is the end, but after 14 yearas of football in England (amateur and semi-professional), successive promotions, cups won, memorable matches, participations in the FA Cup, The FA Trophy, FA Vase, today its ended the beautiful chapter of my life called FC Romania.”
Vintila added the reason for his departure was a lack of sponsorship and people to continue to support the FC Romania project.
It is unclear at this stage what Vintila’s departure means for the long term future of the club at step 4 but speaking to FiB, the former boss said: “The team will continue under the same name at least one year.”
The clubs rise has been documented by The Cold End, an excellent blog coverning football in Hertfordshire, North London and Essex.
