League in appeal for new teams
A HISTORIC grassroots football league is facing extinction unless more teams come forward to play in it.
The Gateshead and District Sunday League faces a crucial few weeks as it looks to attract more clubs to keep it going.
Dwindling player numbers and rising costs have forced some teams to fold while a handful of clubs have decided to move into rival leagues after becoming disillusioned with the way things were going.
It has left the Gateshead set-up on the brink of going under, more than 50 years after it was first set up.
The Durham FA has now stepped in to try and save the league, with a new management structure put in place and a series of financial incentives introduced to try and attract more clubs.
Durham FA secretary John Topping said: “We need to keep football going in the Gateshead and surrounding areas and with our involvement we will be able to make the administration of the league as easy as possible.
“The league has agreed there will be no cost towards league fees next season and it is hoped with our involvement the existing teams will remain and new teams will apply.”
Established in 1968, the Gateshead and District League rose from having 16 teams to needing to form a second division due to its popularity and over the last two decades has been seen as one of the strongest Sunday morning set-ups in the North East.
However, it has seen the amount of clubs involved slip considerably over the last few seasons and, with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic putting extra financial pressure on grassroots football, its future is now uncertain.
Durham FA has also been in talks with Gateshead Council over support with pitch fees as it looks to put a package in place to attract new teams.
Any club interested in joining the league should contact john.topping@durhamfa.com.