After "planting their football seeds" in the M-League 13 years ago, Felda United FC (FUFC) felt that they can't grow anymore.
Yesterday, Felda United made the move to uproot themselves from the M-League, announcing that from next year, they will no longer participate in the national competition.
It's the same sad story. Like many other clubs who folded up before them, Felda United lack the fertiliser — which means financial support — to take root in the M-League.
Known as The Fighters, they played in the FAM League in 2007 before their M-League debut as a Premier League outfit the following year.
Yesterday, Felda FC announced that 16 staff from the team will be laid off.
In a press statement, Felda Holdings Berhad stated: "Felda wish to inform that FUFC's participation is only for the 2020 season. Starting 2021, FUFC will no longer take part in the M-League.
"Sixteen FUFC staff will be compensated for the termination of their services in accordance with the terms of their appointments.
"A notice for the handover of duties has been given to them on Sept 17."
In the statement, Felda FC denied media reports of break-ins at the FUFC office.
With Felda United's withdrawal from the 2021 season (they are 11th in the Super League and relegated), the question is who will join Police as one of the two teams demoted to the second tier Premier League.
When contacted on the matter, Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said: "We are waiting for the official withdrawal from Felda United and will take the necessary action, especially in determining what will happen in terms of demotion.
"Whatever it is, it's a shame that this is happening. It's a huge loss for 'anak-anak' Felda and their footballs fans."
FAM had earlier confirmed that Felda FC were granted both the national and Asian Football Confederations (AFC) licences which allow them to compete in domestic and Asian-level competitions.
FAM secretary general Stuart Ramalingam said: "For us, it is something that we weren't looking for but it was expected.
"Felda United have contributed immensely to Malaysian football, not only due to their participation in the M-League but also football.
"Obviously, it is not a happy moment but nevertheless their 'early' withdrawal is a positive because it allows MFL and FAM to make earlier decisions rather than them withdrawing in December or January."
With one game remaining in this season's Super League, Felda United are in 11th place with seven points following two consecutive losses and only one win after 10 matches.
Should the MFL decide to relegate two teams from the Super League, the next team to be demoted (in place of Felda FC) could be Sabah who are now 10th in the table with nine points.
Meanwhile, FAM club licensing chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif announced yesterday that 10 of 12 teams in the Super League have been granted national licences.
The teams are Felda United, UiTM FC, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Kedah, Police, Perak, PJ City, Sabah, Selangor and Terengganu.
Pahang and Melaka United were granted conditional licences and they will have to present the required documents before the Oct 31 deadline.
He said eight teams from the Premier League applied for national licences and three (Kelantan United, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan) were approved.
Five teams: Kuching FA, Kelantan, UKM FC, Penang and Sarawak United were given conditional licences and they have until Oct 31 to come up with the required paperwork.
"Should the teams fail to comply, their licences could be revoked and they risk demotion.
"As for the AFC licence, out of the nine teams, eight were approved.
"They are JDT, Perak, Selangor, Terengganu, Felda United, PJ City, Kedah and KL."
It is learnt that Melaka United did not get their licence and if they won the Malaysia Cup next month, they will not be eligible to play in the AFC Cup. Their slot will be given to the Malaysia Cup runners-up.