Rugby club faces closure over lack of new players

A crunch board meeting will decide the future of Wheaton Aston and Penkridge Rugby Club. Based at the Monckton Recreation Centre, in Pinfold Lane, Penkridge, the club once had three thriving sides but now struggles to get together just one team on a weekly basis.

As a result, the club's board is meeting on Tuesday to decide if the club can viably continue.

Chairman Julian Witcomb, who has been involved with the club for more than 20 years, said: "We're having a board meeting this Tuesday to try and determine whether it's feasible to carry on for another year.

"We also need to try and go through where we went wrong last season in terms of player numbers and whether we can go into another season.

"I'd be very reluctant to close the club, especially as it's the club's 30th anniversary this year. And we've been going strong for the past 30 years too – it's only the past few years we've been struggling.

"Before the struggle over the past two or three years we were a very successful club and were a great club to be a part of.

"If there is any chance we can continue, we will. It all depends on what's said on Tuesday night.

"At the end of the day it's all down to a lack of players. If we're to survive we need to get extra people on the team.

"It is a crunch meeting on Tuesday, but I'm going into it with the hope of saving the club.

"It would be incredibly sad to see it go."

Mr Witcomb, aged 56, added the club was forced to call off its last two games of the season over the past few weeks due to a lack of players. Just six or seven were able to attend, but a minimum of 25 players are needed to form a side.

The club was formed in Wheaton Aston and moved to its current home in Penkridge around 10 years ago.

For many years the club ran three successful sides but now, despite the board members' best efforts, attracting new players has proven a challenge.

"People just don't seem to want to play rugby anymore," added Mr Witcomb.

"I think a lot of rugby clubs are having the same problems."

Anyone interested in joining the club or who wants to find out more can call Mr Witcomb on 07739 950063.