WOMEN’S football have rejected a return to a summer league. There have been serious fears for the future of their game after a number were called off due to a shortage of players, seldom a problem when the league was played in the summer months.

But at a meeting between the GFA and the clubs, the door to a summer return was gently closed.

The GFA’s director of cups, leagues and grounds, Kelvin Seeds, described it as a ‘clear the air’ meeting.

‘We put some things forward for the clubs like a change to the summer, but that was thrown out,’ said Seeds.

‘Reducing the number of times clubs play each other from three to two was also thrown out as was reducing the number of players in a team from 11 to nine. Having a winter break was also discussed but that was thrown out as well.

‘They are very happy with the format at the moment but there is a general lack of players to go around. We are very keen to have that addressed and they are too.’

More than 30 turned up for the meeting, with representatives from every club.

The women’s island coach Steve Ogier was also present.

‘The response was fantastic,’ said Seeds.

‘But the problem wasn’t the people in that room but those who weren’t there. There seems to be a lack of drive from some of the club committees.

‘We’re going to put together a sub-committee that will meet once a month and will have someone from each club’s women’s section on it and not from their committee.’

North women’s coach Davey White had considered resigning due to all the problems in the game, but was pleased that the meeting had gone ahead. He said it was a forward step.

‘We all know what the problems are in women’s football and I didn’t see anything really come out of the meeting,’ he said.

‘There didn’t seem to be anything solid but it’s nice to see that the GFA are concerned and hopefully things will improve. Hopefully they will have a think and come back to us with some ideas for next season. The meeting has made me rethink about stepping down next season. I’m glad to see that they are taking the right steps now and that they are interested in women’s football.’