Shropshire football officials will stage a crunch meeting this week in an attempt to halt the demise of 11-a-side football in the county.

The secretary’s of the eight senior leagues in Shropshire – as well as one other official – have been invited to attend the meeting at Shropshire FA headquarters on Thursday (7pm).

The move comes in after six of the 280 affiliated teams in the county folded in the first half of this season.

That is a trend replicated around the country, but Shropshire officials are hoping they can stop that slide.

“As part of the National Game Strategy from the Football Association there is a four-year-plan,” said County Football Development Manager Mick Murphy.

“One of the sub sections is adult 11-a-side-football and those numbers are falling across the country with the growth of small-sided football.

“Our aim is to try and retain 280 teams by 2012 and the best way to do that is to hold a meeting and consult with league officials.

“We have some ideas to put to them and we will see what ideas they have and try and find a way to push forward.”

Amongst the proposals expected to be heard are a restructuring of the Saturday and Sunday leagues across the county.

The County Premier League have already lost three teams this season, with Dawley Bank, Hopesgate and Craven Arms all folding.

And the Shrewsbury Sunday League saw one of their number – Oteley Rovers – drop out only last week.

By JAMES GARRISON