A football league which has been in existence since the 1900-1901 season will not be running next season.
The Mid Wales League (South), which has been the lifeblood of football in Radnorshire and also Breconshire, since the demise of the Brecon league, is going into what many hope is just a temporary hiatus due to a lack of numbers.
The League has also at times provided football for teams in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Montgomeryshire and Ceredigion as well as Brecon and Radnor.
The League comprised of village teams and reserve sides but the introduction of the FAW National Reserve League has had a major impact. Also the decision of the Central Wales FA to run two leagues at level Tier Four has played a part.
The league, which not that long ago boasted 19 teams, was forced to run with just five teams last season, which secretary, Alan Randall says is not feasible.
President, Paul Worts, who served the league as secretary for 26 seasons until 2020 and Phil Woosnam, associated with the league as secretary and then treasurer since 1985, said jointly: “It is a sad day for football in our area but we’re afraid it is what it is. We just do not have the number of teams to make up all the new leagues not like they have in North and South Wales.
“We do worry about football locally going forward as now there is no youth football or Tier Five local league football in our area for youngsters to start out.”
Local Ardal League clubs have in the past used the Mid Wales League (South) as a platform to rebuild when they fell upon hard times and the managers of those clubs last season, Gareth Jones (Llandrindod Wells), Jason Samuel (Builth Wells) and Dylan McPhee (Rhayader Town) all cut their teeth on Mid Wales (South) football as players before going on to bigger things.
Long serving Chairman, Edward Parry said: “My first association with the Mid Wales League (South) was as a linesman for Llanidloes Reserves in the 1967-68 season and it is a sad day to see the league fold some 56 years later.
"It has been an honour to have been chairman and thanks to all for their contributions, particularly Phil Woosnam and Paul Worts who have worked tirelessly and been synonymous with this league over the years."
The Mid Wales League (South) Executive Committee would like to express its sincere thanks to Roger Watson, league sponsor for some 20 years and likewise Pip Samuel. who sponsored the League Cup.
Of the five teams that competed last season, Hay St Marys have been forced to play in the National Reserve League while Felindre, Newcastle, Presteigne Reserves and St Harmon have been accepted into the Montgomery Amateur League.
Rhayader Town Reserves, in the FAW National Reserve League Central last season, will also play in the Amateur League.