I think number have probably dropped quite a lot because these days there are laptops, ipads, playstations, etc that take people away from physical activity. Also there is so much live football on TV and of such a high quality (compared to the past) that many/most perfect o watch rather the play. People participating in sport seems to be dropping, although the olympics may improve things in the short-term.
I am not talking about "professional" semipro football. I am talking about the standard of local football - some call it grass roots etc. Having played in the Swansea League and now being involved at Welsh League Division One level for the last 5 years the difference in standard is vast - a comparison would be from Conference/League 2 to say Championship. Some Welsh league clubs have academy status and the youth are now regularly making their way into the 1st teams at division 1/2/3 standard. This has to be good news that local lads have the chance to progress. If they are good enough they stand a better chance of being noticed at this level with the chance to move to an even higher standard. I will agree that we could do without the officialdom that is the FAW ....but what/who would you replace them with.... To operate a Welsh league side with Reserve team/youth setup etc costs many many thousands of pounds - I dread to think what a LOW club costs are - obviously huge if the likes of Llanelli and Neath go under - it takes money to develop and sadly that will always be lacking at the level I am talking about. SwansBoyo
