A ROW has erupted over a field in Talybont which could leave the future of senior and youth football in the village under threat.

Cae’r Odyn Galch has been home to Talybont FC for four decades, and has been leased to Maes Chwarae Cae’r Odyn Galch Playing Field Association since 2010 for £2,000 a year.

Now, the association is warning that football in the village is unlikely to survive after field owner Ioan Beechey announced his intention to end the arrangement in August this year.

Talybont fields two senior teams in the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth and District League. The field is also used by several youth teams and the annual Talybont Football Festival.

But Mr Beechey claims the rent is often paid late and rubbish left on the field, which is now needed for livestock.

In all over 120 footballers young and old will be left without a pitch in the village from next season if an agreement can’t be reached.

The association’s chairman, Gwyn Jenkins, said: “This is a major blow to sport in the community, with all the benefits that regular sporting activity bring. The association has worked hard to maintain the field over several years and the loss of facilities creates uncertainty. We fear that both the senior and junior clubs will not survive.”

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