Future bleak for Caldicot

THE future is looking very bleak for local ladies football side Caldicot Town.

The club's bid to relocate to Tidenham FC so they can play in the South West Ladies Football League has been refused by club officials, who reportedly did not want to risk damage to the ground's pitch with two competitive football games on consecutive days.

And now manager Rachel Czajkowski fears the club could lose most of its squad because she cannot satisfy her players with regular competitive football.

"I am absolutely fed-up," admitted the Caldicot boss.

"I'm still waiting to hear from the English FA about us transferring our players from the Welsh League, but they could refuse that as well. It's just one nightmare after another.

"I just feel like everyone is against us and I don't know where to turn anymore. Two girls we have from Ross have already said they're thinking of going, while two others have been approached by other clubs."

The club, which had been refused a cross-border move by the Welsh FA earlier this month, had hoped a link up with English club Tidenham - just a stone's throw from Chepstow - would mean it could re-affiliate with the Gloustershire FA and subsequently play in the South West Women's League.

The club has already missed two of its scheduled South West games because of the chaos, with another game against the Swindon Spitfires this Sunday set to be postponed as well.

"A lot of the other clubs have been very sympathetic to us. They just can't understand all the red tape and bureaucracy we're having to plough our way through. All we want to do is play football," said Czajkowski.

Her side is still training every Wednesday despite all its troubles, but confidence is dwindling.

"If we don't get this sorted fast, then who knows what is going to happen?' The club is now hoping another ground over the border will become available.