Western League team quit

Shrewton will quit The Toolstation Western League at the end of the season, returning to the Wiltshire League. They cite travelling costs and poor attendances as the main reasons.

Their gate a week last Saturday for their Div 1 game was 21. We can see the overall picture of The Western League. We were grateful to play there but also pleased to climb back to the Southern League. Div 3 clubs in the MacWhirter Welsh League enjoy better attendances than 21 and it is not surprising that clubs struggle financially with transport costs etc and trying to keep going at a certain level.

It's a shame they have to drop back. If I recall correctly their clubhouse etc doubled up as the Village Hall and there were some really nice people there - although has as been intimated not enough. Their secretary - Paul Robinson - is a really nice bloke, made a big fuss of Wayne and took a great photo of him with me & Mrs OS which appeared on the front page of their website for a while. Paul came to watch us play several times, including a visit to Taffs Well and appreciated our way of playing as well as our support.

Paul also took, had framed and presented to the club, the excellent large colour photograph of our team, that takes pride of place to the right of the bar in the Candac.

That's good.

Hate to see any Club at any size struggle. Let's hope they get a bit more stable in the next few seasons

Lots of clubs face more expense with dwindling income which makes life difficult. And leagues bring in new rules and regulations which also make it tough.

Sad news, however better drop down voluntary now than realise when the debt strangles you and forces you down.

I recall we beat Shrewton well when we went there, but in fairness the set up and facilities were very limited, and for those of your who didnt attend, I would place Troedyrhiw & Penydarren as having better stadia.

When we went there they even asked us to take the gate money on the supporters coach on the way down as they were short on volunteers to run the gate which is a measure that without supporters, and volunteers you will always struggle, same with every club, even ours at our level..

And Troedyrhiw haven't got a senior football club anymore.