Amazing to find someone at your experience level and inside a small alliance of only 9. Almost always being the best Titan hitter or War performer can be boost to the ego, but also can get tired and burn some one out on the inside.
Sounds like you are ready for a change of scenery. My first alliance I stayed for about 6 months, was made Elder because I seemed more assertive than most. My alliance leader then had a lofty goal, but eventually his time on the game grew less and less (same with our co-leaders), and we were stuck with tons of inactive members and me only able to help accept new applications.
Eventually I took an initiative (I don’t do that often) and asked if any one will be interested in moving to a different alliance of different leadership. I had about 3 to 4 head nods (not sure how many of the silent warriors even read the chat). We struck out on our own, I was made leader (didn’t really wanted the job at first), but I brought up the idea and looks like in addition to the 3 to 4 nodding heads, a few of the guys/gals eventually followed so it was about 10 of us when it was said and done.
The group grew, eventually to full membership plus or minus. I was level 30 something when the alliance stated July of 2018, and now, I am level 61, and have absolutely no problems not being the strongest player on the member list.
Recruitment is a challenging task, and one thing most players here will tell you is to not use the in-game chat, because you’ve already noticed how bad the result is (scroll all the way up to the top in matter of seconds, and then poof, it’s gone). A few of my co-leaders had opted to spam in there a few times, it’s throwing a cup of water against a solid brick wall. Line and Discord can be valuable too. However, I found the way I found most of the core/loyal members of my alliance members now is through my posting here in the forums, and they have read and responded to it.
If you are thinking of joining an established alliance, there are plenty who have posted above that are viable options. Now, if you are thinking of starting a new alliance, different animal, and you’d risk being worse than your current situation (chance of no sign ups, trying to contend with the stronger alliance for new members). But I’d say, that’s only for the time being, as once you put your recruitment post out there, you got a piece of it right here in the forum (I still have my recruitment post somewhere buried in the alliance recruitment section and only refresh it once in a while).
If neither the lone wolf approach nor the start anew are what you are looking for, consider persuading someone, players you enjoy playing this game with, and sharing your same or similar ideals to come with you. Having kindred spirits or someone you have already grown used to can help with the transitioning. It’s a game, sure. But real feelings still applies. (But make sure you establish contact outside the game first before jumping ship, otherwise, awkward trying to come back in).
Best of luck to you.