A PLAYER shortage at Bradford United FC has forced the club to resign from the Trowbridge and District Football League, ending their 46-year history.

The club, which plays at Culver Close, Bradford, saw its squad shrink from 50 players and two teams last season, to a paltry 14 for this campaign, leaving the future of the club untenable.

Jeff Evans, chairman, secretary and a member of the club for 42 years, was horrified and demanded more must be done to retain their precocious youngsters.

“Everyone at the club was devastated,” said Mr Evans. “After so long being involved with this wonderful club, one that has given me so much joy for such a long time, to end like this is heartbreaking.”

“The players and manager are gutted. The saddest thing is that there is only one football club left in the town and that isn’t good enough for a town of our size.

“More has to be done to keep our young players. It’s criminal players travel 11 miles to play outside Bradford. That is ludicrous.”

Club founder and treasurer Roger Payne said finances weren’t an issue, adding that players were being pressured into leaving by other clubs.

“It’s a real pity,” he said. “We have been title contenders over the years so it was baffling to find we couldn’t get the numbers. Money wasn’t a problem. We had a committee and were very organised.

“We are one of the best run clubs in the league, a league that has shrunk considerably from 40 or so teams to the mid 20s over the years, due to similar instances to this.

“We lined up six junior players but for one reason or another they didn’t sign. You can’t expect to play with 14 players and no goalkeeper. You need at least 25 players.”

Mr Evans still believes the club, run by Mr Evans, Mr Payne and manager Anthony Ottaviano could have a future.

He said: “I only want to be at Bradford United. I love this club and I hope that we can bring it back better and more secure than before.”