SOCCER: Struggling for players after being forced to look for a new ground, BT Hollies manager Barry Vernau has called the closure of the Bucklesham-based Hollies sports club a 'disgrace'.

STRUGGLING for players after being forced to look for a new ground, BT Hollies manager Barry Vernau has called the closure of the Bucklesham-based Hollies sports club a 'disgrace.'

"I understand that the club house is boarded up and the place is just standing idle," said Vernau, who has been forced to move his side to the Trimley Sports Centre.

"The facilities at The Hollies were such that it is a disgrace that it is now standing idle,"

The Metaltec SIL Division One club, that also runs a reserve and A team, almost disbanded during the summer because of problems finding a new home.

"The Trimley vacancy came just at the right time," added Vernau, who is carrying on in charge as there were no suitable replies when the post was advertised.

"Because of the uncertainty over our future we lost in excess of 10 players. And it was impossible to sign replacements at the time because who wanted to join a club that possibly had no future?

"We are happy at Trimley which is a really good club, and all is not lost. But we need some fresh players to swell our playing ranks."

BT Hollies have lost the three matches they have played in the SIL so far this season, but the long-serving Vernau says that the nucleus of a successful side is still at the club.

Vernau is hoping there are players in the Felixstowe and Trimley looking to play a high level of Saturday football.

BT Hollies train on Wednesday nights at the Trimley Sports Centre and new players can make themselves known to Vernau then. Alternatively they can contact him on Ipswich 240285.

The Hollies ground is owned by the Civil Service but has been run in recent years as a going concern. A number of football teams were left homeless when it closed its doors at the end of August.