A JUNIOR football league is appealing for more teams and helpers to help it survive.

The Richmond and District Sunday Junior League, which currently caters for players aged eight to 16 years, will become an under-13s league next season.

The decision to become a smaller league has been made due to a shortage of teams in the older age groups and because several administrators are leaving at the same time.

League chairman Ian Jenkins, who has also been acting as secretary, is retiring this year. He said: "I also run a Sunday team, so my time is limited even more, and I also have work commitments.

"The treasurer is also retiring after doing it for ten years. It needs younger people to come in and build it back up. There are four people doing about ten jobs and enough is enough."

The league, which has been going for 21 years, covers a wide area and includes teams from Great Ayton, Barnard Castle and Darlington as well as Richmond, Thirsk, Bedale, Catterick and Brompton.

Teams of players up to ten years old only play friendlies, while the league also runs two cup competitions.

Matches have regularly attracted scouts from league clubs and several players have gone on to become professionals, including Nottingham Forest's exciting young prospect Michael Dawson.

The league, which is financially sound, is looking for a new treasurer, secretary and other committee members. A meeting to discuss the proposed changes will be held at Catterick Village WMC at 8pm on Monday, March 31.

Anyone who might be able to help can contact Mr Jenkins by phone or fax on 01748 825178.