THE Herefordshire Football Association have released more details about the proposed dissolution of the Herefordshire Football League (HFL) and their plans to create a new league.

As revealed by the Hereford Times here, an extraordinary general meeting has been called for February 8 where Herefordshire Football Association (HFA) chief executive Jim Lambert will present a motion "that the dissolution of ‘the Herefordshire Football League’ will take place following the conclusion of the 2015-2016 season".

If approved by clubs, a new 'County League' will be set up which, the HFA say, will try and help sides by investigating ways to assist them.

Herefordshire Sunday Football League (HSFL) clubs have already agreed to the motion after meeting on Tuesday night.

"The HFA have been in consultation with the Herefordshire Saturday and Sunday Leagues over the course of this season to look at ways to sustain the 11v11 adult game in the County and are following an agreed way forward which is seen to be a benefit to all clubs," reads a statement released by the HFA.

"There was an open meeting in November at the Starlite Rooms to consult on the principle of the HFA administering the leagues.

"The consensus of those present on the night being positive .

"Meetings were held with both the HFL and HSFL management committees.

"A working party, which has included the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the Saturday and Sunday Leagues, has progressed to the point where the formal dissolution of the leagues would be required.

"The notification the HFL clubs received this week is part of the process, with the presentation indicated on the HFL EGM agenda by the HFA on the “County League” being the culmination of the collaboration between the two leagues and the HFA to consider the best way forward for football in the county."

Eleven-a-side football has been on a steady decline for a number of years, with the amount of sides playing on Saturdays and Sunday dropping each season.

There are currently three divisions on a Saturday and two on a Sunday - less than half the number from 20 years ago.

Belmont Wanderers and Tupsley have already withdrawn from Division One this season after struggling to raise sides.

Both teams were promoted from Division Three last year.

Dan Pitt, who managed Belmont, believes a lot of players' interests now lie elsewhere.

"Players are not interested anymore, especially since the rise of Hereford FC," said Pitt.

"They would rather watch them than play football, which is sad, but I can understand why.

"I know Tupsley had a similar problem with players losing interest and I've noticed a difference."

HFL secretary Pete Stead said the league always try and help struggling clubs and does not believe the success of Hereford FC is at the root of the problem.

"We always try to help with anyone that is struggling by finding them players that are not doing anything," said Stead.

"Tupsley signed a lot of new players week by week to fulfil their fixtures, but struggled to commit because they were losing every week.

"We had Hereford United as a league club for many years and that didn't have an impact, so I don't think that's the reason.

"The problem is that kids start playing football at a very young age, so when they are 16 or 17 they have had enough.

"I don't know what the answer is."