CHURCHSTOKE Football Club have folded and withdrawn from the JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League.
The club was originally formed 104 years ago and folded and re-formed several times until the most recent incarnation in 2010.
However the club’s failure to recruit a manager and a crippling player shortage has meant the end of the road for the Camlad Park club after 14 years.
A club spokesman said: “The committee of Churchstoke Football Club has reluctantly made the decision to fold the club for the current season and withdraw from the JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League.
OTHER NEWS:
- Powys drinks firm signs deal to sell latest lines at supermarket chain
- Homes plan for beside controversially converted Powys pub are pulled
- North Powys schools closed - but snow warning proving a washout
“The club appealed for new blood following the departure of several players and the resignation of the manager.
“However, insufficient interest has been forthcoming leaving the club unable to field a team.
“The committee will regroup with the aim of relaunching the club in the future.
“The club retains excellent facilities and can provide a great opportunity for an enthusiastic player/player-manager and players to join a popular village club with fantastic support from the local community. The club hopes to be back in the Montgomeryshire league as soon as next season.”
It is hoped the club will return next season and join the likes of Newtown-based Maesyrhandir in strengthening the decimated grassroots football scene in Powys.
The loss of another grassroots club represents another hammer blow to Central Wales football and follows hot on the heels of Aberaeron Football Club folding and withdrawing from the MMP Central Wales League South earlier this month while Brecon Town and Talgarth Town left the region to play in South Wales at the start of the season due to excessive travel demands in the the league
Meanwhile speculation continues to grow over the long-term futures of several other clubs and raises yet more questions over the suitability of the Football Association of Wales enforced pyramid in the region which has led to the loss of a host of clubs and even the Watson Financial Mid Wales League South since 2021.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here