WILTSHIRE FA secretary Mike Benson believes a multitude of factors are responsible for the decline in people taking part in adult football.

Leagues such as the Wiltshire League and Swindon & District League have reduced in size this season as numbers of teams and individuals playing decreased, which is the continuation of a long-running trend.

And when asked why this was the case, Benson replied: “There’s varying reasons.

“First of all you have got shift working which does affect a lot of people playing Saturdays and even Sundays - the Swindon Sunday League isn’t as strong as it used to be, so that’s one factor.

“Secondly, wives have a lot to say when their husbands go and play football on a Saturday and a lot of these lads have got to make a choice whether they go shopping or play football.

“Money is another factor. Things have been a bit tight over the last year or so, football is a pleasure for most people and you have to pay to play, you don’t get paid.

“It’s not cheap to play our game and when you have got local councils putting up rents on grounds it makes it harder.

“Plus a lot of people now go and play five-a-side football, six-a-side football and futsal.”

The Wiltshire League has this season reduced from three divisions to two while the Swindon & District League has come down from two divisions to one, prompting questions about how long they can last under the strain of diminishing numbers.

And Benson added: “I can remember when they (the local leagues) were a lot bigger and they are now.

“Back 20 or 30 years ago the District League had four divisions and the Wilts League had a senior section and two junior divisions.

“There is that concern (of leagues folding), although I think we have enough youngsters on board that could probably compensate for that.

“We’ll get some teams come out of the North Wilts League into junior adult football in the next year or so. We’re not hit as bad as some counties.”