ONE of South Cumbria’s top girls football teams is facing an unexpected crisis due to a lack of players.

Barrow Celtic Under-16s – who have risen through the age groups enjoying great success since 2010 – have found themselves suddenly down on numbers.

The Hoops are victims of their own success, with two squad members – Paige McDermott and Georgia Towler – snapped up by Blackpool FC and another, Olivia Ryan, by Preston North End.

A further three girls have decided to stop playing early, leaving the current squad to play their opening three Cumbria Women’s League fixtures with eight, eight and seven players respectively in the nine-a-side competition.

Celtic junior secretary Dennis Boys is hopeful there are more girls in the area who can help the team out by stepping into the breach, and said: “The management of Barrow Celtic are proud that the ability of their girls has been recognized by senior clubs and we wish them well for the future.

“The girls left to battle on have shown great spirit and have no desire to throw in the towel, but new under-15s or under-16s girls are required urgently.”

Despite their struggle for numbers, Celtic enjoyed a successful weekend in the Cumbria Women’s League when they travelled to Wigton to play Abbeytown.

The side were boosted by a guest appearance from Blackpool player Paige McDermott, plus a first league game for Rebekah Thompson.

Despite being a goal down at half-time, Celtic struck twice through opportunist Emily Anderson to defeat their hosts 2-1 and collect their first points of the season.

Barrow Celtic Under-12s are another team to find themselves in a difficult situation.

Two leading players have joined rivals Dalton and two others have given up on playing football, leaving them short on numbers as well.

Georgia Keenan is now with Blackpool, as are under-11s duo Alicia Trewin and Ellie Husband.

Added to the problem, Barrow AFC’s girls coaching sessions clash with their own on Friday evening.

The clash has wreaked havoc with numbers at Celtic training.

The Hoops training sessions are held on the Pulse Soccer 3G pitches at the Park Leisure Centre for under-11s to under-14s girls.

Any girls in those age groups interested in football can attend the sessions between 5pm and 7pm.

For more information on the Barrow Celtic under-16s or the younger age groups, contact Dennis Boyd on 01229 584657.