End of era for south football
The Southern Football Association, which dates back to the early 1950s, seems likely be wound up soon.
The body was responsible for competition in the South Mainland for over half a century, with leagues and knockout trophies contested annually by various teams.
Original participants were Quendale, Bigton, Sandwick and Virkie, the latter also known as Queen of the South and Southern Aces. By the 1970s Bigton had long disappeared, Cunningsburgh had joined and Southern Aces were replaced by a team from Maybury, the army camp at Sumburgh. For the past 25 years Southend have represented the main Dunrossness area and Burra have also taken part on occasion.
More recently the decision was taken that, if Ness United were to progress as a force in the main Shetland leagues, southern football would need to scaled down somewhat. However, for the past couple of years there has been little in the way of action, with the only outlet for Southend, Sandwick and Cunningsburgh being the yearly participation in the Shetland-wide Parish Cup, which may mean only one match.
At the recent annual general meeting, with nobody willing to stand for any of the vacant positions, the southern committee decided to stand down and not seek re-election.
A spokesman stated: “It was unanimously decided to seek to dissolve the association. The committee has not come to this decision lightly, but despite various attempts in recent years at different competition formats, no competitive football has been played since 2006.
“In light of this, the committee feels a fresh outlook is required to move things forward. If anyone has any interest in continuing the work of the association, they should write to outgoing association secretary John Rosie at Strathayre, Baxter, Quendale, ZE2 9JD by 31st March, 2009.
“If there are no genuine expressions of interest by then, with deep regret, the association will be wound up after 58 years in existence.”
