Accrington Stanley chief executive Warren Eastham says the decision to close their academy was “heartbreaking” but essential for the club’s immediate future.
The League Two club said this week they were shutting down the academy despite the offer of a £140,000 grant from Hyndburn Council to help keep it going.
“From a personal standpoint, it is very difficult,” Eastham told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“We’re human beings and what we’re talking about are kids and parents who believe this is an opportunity for them in the future.
“And given the way it had to be done so immediately, it’s been a very difficult process. We’re talking about people who have performed well.
“When you look at situations like this in business, usually it’s through a lack of performance, but this is an extreme circumstance where departments of the club carry costs for their excellence but the club itself is losing money through its lack of revenue generation.
“The day we spoke to the parents and kids was heartbreaking. It’s been a very, very difficult situation.”
Eastham said the club’s main investor Andy Holt, who has stood down as chairman but will continue to fund the club up to £250,000 a year, had “sleepless nights” over the decision.
But Eastham said senior figures at Accrington had to “put emotions aside” to ensure the financial stability of the club following a 21st-place finish this season, just eight points above the drop zone.
“We can only apologise for the circumstance that’s arisen but given the financial challenges we have, we have to realign all costs towards the first team because relegation would be an absolute disaster,” Eastham said.
“As much as it’s been a really, really difficult time for everyone involved and we’re sad for all those that have had to leave us during this process, we have to make sure that the future of Accrington Stanley is a positive one.”
Eastham was keen to reassure fans that while Accrington are reducing their costs, the club is “absolutely not in question”.
“The football club is safe as far as the playing squad and everything around it,” he said.
“However, until we get the right decisions to support the club from the council and we get the right opportunity to generate revenue, then obviously we have to cut our cloth accordingly.”
He also said Accrington’s ambition is to “push forward and go up the football league”, as well as “resolve issues” with the council over the use of club facilities for non-matchday events after its entertainment licence was revoked following noise complaints.
“‘Don’t worry’ is the message – we’re going in the right direction even though there have been some difficult decisions,” Eastham added.