An established football league in Shropshire has been forced to fold after 37 years because of a lack of teams.

The Ironbridge Sunday League, which was formed in 1972 and capitalised on the boom in football of the sabbath following the formation of the Hadley Sunday League in 1968, will not be in operation for the 2009-10 campaign.

The League ran with 10 teams last season – but some have since folded due to a lack of players or volunteers, while last season’s champions Wrekin Amateurs were one of three clubs to move to the Telford Sunday League.

Attempts to give the Ironbridge League a stay of execution were made by extending into south Shropshire.

But a shortage of confirmed teams for next season forced the committee to make the tough decision to end the League after almost four decades.

“It was a hard thing to do because there were a lot of stalwarts on the committee who had served for a long time,” said chairman Dave Simpson.

“We would have had 11 teams if all those who had expressed an interest had joined.

“But quite a few still hadn’t confirmed and we couldn’t wait for ever.”

The Ironbridge Sunday League committee will, however, continue to operate as they organise the County Women’s League.

By JAMES GARRISON