Football: Concerns for ‘fringe’ players after St Paul’s Women withdraw

Four months after concerns about the champions’ status were first raised, club officials confirmed their withdrawal from the league this week. The decision follows an extended struggle to attract enough players and a new manager.

Coach Sara Vasse stepped down from her role after guiding St Paul’s to a fifth consecutive league crown in March, while a number of players – including Island captain Eve Watson – are unavailable next term.

‘We only had eight or nine committed for next season, out of a squad of 27 from last year, and we’ve spent the last three months trying to get a manager,’ said St Paul’s president Mark Sheldon. ‘Finding a manager has been like trying to find gold at the bottom of the garden.’

On whether a return for 2018/19 is likely, Sheldon added: ‘If they’re as good as their word, they will reform, and it will only be a blip. But it will have a knock-on effect this year because, with the league going down to four teams, players who were on the fringe before might not get a game.’

More in Thursday’s JEP.

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