Crisis time for Minor League

The Scarborough & District Minor League is in crisis due to a lack of teams, players and managers.
Action from a Minor League clashAction from a Minor League clash
Action from a Minor League clash

The league, which has age groups running from the minis at Under-Sevens through to Under-13s, has issued a plea to the people of Scarborough and surrounding area as they look to boost their dwindling numbers of players and teams.

Chairman Steve Matthews has underlined that he is worried for the future of the set-up, which once hosted as many as 70 teams across the age groups.

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He said: “It is a crisis because we need teams, players and coaches right across the board.

“We have said in the past that we’ll just end up a minis football league, but that could actually happen.

“At the Under-Seven age group though we only have two teams, you can’t believe that in Scarborough and the surrounding area there are that few players at that age.

“We are also worried for next season’s Under-14 league because we have lost one team and another team is unsure what they are doing.

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“This isn’t just for boys, girls are allowed to play at any age group as well, so they are more than welcome to come down and join a team.”

“Teams and players areen’t the only problem though, we also need managers and coaches to run sides.

“We need some of the parents to come forward and help the clubs out.”

Former Minor League players Jimmy Beadle, who has since gone on to play for Scarborough FC, York City and now Scarborough Athletic, is devastated by this news.

He said: “Where is everyone? I can’t believe that.

“It is really sad, I used to love playing in that league.

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“I started off in it and played through to Under-13 before I went on to the Scarborough FC School of Excellence.

“All I wanted to do when I was that age was to go out and play football.

“The fact that there is so little interest now is crazy, especially when there are so many young kids in the Scarborough area.”

Fellow Boro man Michael Coulson, who started in the Minor League and went on tomplay for St Johnstone in the SPL, also voiced his concerns.

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He said: “It would be a big shame for the town to lose the Minor League.

“I have some great memories from these leagues, playing for Scholes Park, Burniston and Edgehill Eagles, the leagues were always competitive and were always a great platform for the youngsters to showcase their talents and eventually get picked up by the centre of excellence as it was then.

“It would be a massive shame if the youngsters don’t get that chance these days.

“There are a lot of talented young footballers in this town and we want to eventually see them playing for their home town club. No local Minor League definitely would effect this.”

Anyone interested in playing, forming a club or helping with a current team can contact secretary Karen Louth on [email protected]