Oswestry are forced to pull team from league

And a doubt hangs over the team's future unless more players join during the summer. The shock move came after the club had to concede last weekend's trip to Stafford due to lack of numbers, which would have again incurred a fine as well as a points deduction.

It was the third time this season that the men had to pull out of an away game after failing to raise a side.

"We just can't carry on like this week in, week out," said a club official.

"We can just about raise teams for our home games, but we have struggled for every away game this season. We had to pull out of three matches, while there have also been times when we have had to travel with less than 11 players.

"It's disappointing that it has come to this, because a town the size of Oswestry should be able to support a men's hockey team.

"The frustrating thing is that if we had a full team, we would be a match for anybody in the league, which has been shown by our results this season.

"But it came to the stage when there was no point carrying on this season, with the fines we were having to pay for not fulfilling our fixtures and also the cost of the pitch hire. Hopefully we can look at things again in the summer.

"But the scary thing is that, with three lads going to university later this year, we need at least four or five new players if we are to carry on next season.

"The second team pulled out of the North Wales League a couple of seasons ago and interest in the club has been steadily dwindling."

Despite being docked points for failing to play in three games, Oswestry were lying fifth with seven wins to their name and had scored 52 goals in their 15 outings. Their league record will now be wiped out.

The club, who play their home games at Oswestry School, had five games remaining this term. They had been due to host Leamington Spa this weekend.