London ladies pull out of football league due to cash problem
Despite their historic All-Ireland Ladies JFC success last year, the Exiles are currently around £34,000 in the red and the worsening economic climate means they are unable to locate sponsors to help redress the situation.
London ladies chairperson Jackie McCowen, who was elected at last Saturday’s AGM, believes that they had no other choice but to withdraw and declared the decision “an awful one to make.”
“At the end of 2007 we were £17,500 in debt and now it’s doubled, so we had to call a halt to it. We need to get back on track and hopefully come next year that will be the case.
“You have to pull in the reins. We were made promises that money and sponsorship was coming in and not one penny of it materialised.
“It’s a big disappointment. As well as being on committees and things since 1990, I’ve been a player for London. I loved it and I know how much these matches mean. I played in the National League when we won it and also the All-Ireland in ‘93 so I know how important it is, but what can you do?”
McCowen insists that the withdrawal from the league does not cast doubt on London’s ability to defend their All-Ireland JFC title this summer. The cost-cutting measure of not participating in the league should ensure that the Exiles will feature in championship action this season.
“I don’t think there’ll be any problem with us competing in the championship though.”
The GAA will review London’s involvement on an annual basis, which means they could return to the NFL as soon as next year.
Meanwhile, last Saturday’s AGM also saw Adrian Moyles, who trained the team last year, nominated to succeed Johnny Wilson as London’s new manager for the 2009 season.
“He’s (Moyles) very ambitious, he has the experience from last year and he had the respect of the girls, which is very important”, said McCowen.
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