Bradford Schools Football Association - which has nurtured the talents of the district's rising soccer stars - has warned lack of funds may force it to shut down.

The association has been the driving force behind the success of Everton ace Danny Cadamarteri, Newcastle's Carl Serrant and Dean Richards of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

But the organisation has fallen on hard times since Bradford Council cut its annual £5,000 grant and organisers say their funds will be gone within two years.

They are very concerned, said Alan Moore, official archivist for the BSFA.

"In two years time Bradford will not be represented because the funding is not there."

Mr Moore, who is the head teacher at Bolling Special School, reckons that there is about £10,000 in the kitty, enough to fund two more seasons at a push.

And as the bank balance goes down, the first fixture to bite the dust will be the historic match between Bradford Boys and the Glasgow Schools Football Association.

The annual match has been played since 1925, with a break during the war, and each year talented young players play alternate return matches between Valley Parade and Hampden Park, Glasgow.

"We believe it is the oldest fixture of it's kind," said Paul Grundy, head teacher of Allerton Middle School and an official with the association.

Early this month the latest, and possibly the last, match between the cities' boys was played out at Glasgow with Bradford running out 2-0 winners.

"When we go to Glasgow, we are greeted by the Lord Mayor and they really lay on a good spread. But at our end, we are always having to scrap around for things."

Mr Moore said the pity of the association going under is that it does not just encourage the elite of the city's young footballers, but caters for girls and boys of all levels who just love playing the game.

A Bradford Council spokesman said money for school sports had been given directly to schools which could choose to subscribed to the association if they wanted.

Anyone who wants to sponsor the association should contact Paul Grundy on (01274) 541515.

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