Metro aces forced to disband

The former national champions, who went on to fly the flag for Rotherham in Europe, were relegated from the National League’s top flight two years ago after being hit by a tough points deduction. They had become established as one of Britain’s leading sides, producing players who went on to join last year’s Olympic team, despite losing their base when Sheffield Road Baths was demolished a decade ago and being forced to play home games at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge.

The drop also meant a reduction in the number of available players and, after some hard thinking, the decsion was made to pull the plug on adult water polo.

Said coach Norman Leighton: ““We had plenty of players who were registered but they were too often unavailable and it became difficult trying to get a team out, which is why we had to withdraw"

Despite the bad news, he says there is still ambition to redevelop the club and try to reclaim its National League status.

Metro have a strong youth section, training at St. Ann’s and Maltby sports centres, and there are plans to put a side in the Wakefield League next spring.