Shropshire Schools and Colleges FA is pulling the plug on some of its representative teams due to a lack of funding – ending 53 years of action.

Chairman Percy Mullaly said the county had already withdrawn its boys under-16s side from the English Schools FA’s national competition.

But the boys under-14s, 15s and 18s and girls under-16s will complete the season – with the under-18s already through to the national quarter-finals.

However, the association has already given notice to both the ESFA and the county council that there will be no boys under-16s and 18s representative football next season.

The remaining Shropshire teams will carry on, but their future will have to be reviewed in 2010 if there is no extra money available.

Players who have represented Shropshire in recent seasons and gone on to play professional football include England and Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, Wales and Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards, Blackpool’s Rob Edwards, Newcastle’s Danny Guthrie and Preston’s Billy Jones.

Mullaly revealed the association had been involved in talks with funding organisations at county, regional and national level in recent months in the knowledge its money was already reduced by £12,000 this season.

But it has now discovered its grant from the ESFA was being reduced by 15 per cent and two grants from the Shropshire Schools Sports and Athletics Association by 10 per cent.

Extensive appeals for cash to various groups including the Youth Sports Trust and heads of PE have failed.

Said Mullaly: “Although two new sponsors for the present season have been found, these are in no way sufficient to cover the reduction in income.

“Therefore, with very great regret, the association feels it now has no alternative but to take action in order to ensure its financial survival.”

He added: “The priority for the association remains its grass roots programmes, with the Federation Centre, which provides football for 65 primary schools, seen as the highest priority.

“However, with annual costs in excess of £10k, the future of the Federation Centre will also be subject to review in 2010.”

He also paid tribute to Alan Jones who has decided to stand down as finance & development officer at the end of the season.

“Without his dedicated commitment and tireless work in raising funds for the association, it would not have been possible for the above activities to have continued for as long as they have,” added Mullaly.