News / Shetland football close to collapse
SHETLAND’S footballers are considering joining a league on the mainland in a bid to rescue the game in the isles, which they fear is close to collapse.
Recent years have seen a decline in participation following the glory of winning the gold medal at the 2005 NatWest Island Games in Lerwick.
Since then players, coaches and fans have noticed a decline in participation levels and playing standards following the departure of some key figures in the game locally.
The senior Shetland team’s second loss in 12 years to Orkney last month in the annual Inter County match for the Milne Cup, plus Orkney’s decision to join the North Caledonian League, have acted as a wake up call for Shetland.
Now Shetland Football Association (SFA) has set up a public meeting at 7pm on Sunday 26 August at Shetland Hotel to discuss how to give the game a boost.
As well as joining a mainland league, ideas for the future include overhauling the reserve league and investing in all weather pitches.
An SFA spokesman said: “The last county game and the recent changes in Orkney were a wake-up call, but these are issues that have been on many members minds for some time.
“Exposing young sports people to high calibre opposition on the mainland is something we want to do more up here.
“Among the topics to be discussed are Shetland’s senior county side playing more matches on the mainland, domestic league reconstruction, working more with Shetland Works’ League Association and looking into facilities and resources and how they can be used more effectively for everyone.
“No improvements will happen unless there is a strong and full committee in place backed by all member clubs. Team managers are noting overall participation and involvement in the game has dropped up in the last few years.
“Some members are also noting an overall drop in the standard of the game at senior level.
“The last few years have been difficult years for the association with many key figures resigning from posts after every season and many of the long-standing volunteers feeling they have no help running their own clubs.
“At our last meeting many members felt the situation was reaching breaking point and that more players and supporters need to realise how much goes into the game up here and how close it is to collapse.”
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