This is just where the landscape of soccer has taken us..My kids have been involved in soccer for ten years and I could name clubs that existed when we started that either folded or merged on two hands..I think in the past clubs merged to have a stronger player pool and raise the level of play within the club..I think the economy will play a larger role in mergers in the future..Clubs that go at it alone or what I call "local" clubs will still have a hand in the development of players but the choices they have to offer those players will be limited and if memberships are not growing but declining at local clubs..I don't know how they will stay afloat without charging more than what the larger clubs can do for less..Nothing wrong with being small or "local"..Just make sure we're doing it for the right reasons..
