PRESTON North End defender and former Bridgwater Town Reserves player Scott Laird has hit out at the club’s decision to axe both the Reserve and Ladies team at the end of the current season.

The club announced the decision last Monday (March 30) following a meeting (see page 9) – and Laird, 26, who began his career with Bridgwater Town Reserves, described the decision as ‘a travesty’ and fears the town’s talented young footballers could be lost to other clubs.

Last week, Laird, who scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup earlier in the season, tweeted: “To get rid of the Reserves will be a travesty.

“Like many other local lads I learnt my football playing for the reserves – and to stop that would be so disheartening to all the up and coming talent we have in the area.”

Speaking on Sunday, Laird said: “Growing up, I wanted to play for my home town – I was brought up with Bridgwater as my dad was a player and then the manager.

“The way into the first team was the reserves and that was the way for everyone.

“How will it work now? It’s a massive step from the under-18s to first team, maybe not technically, but physically.

“The reserves were perfect for that, playing men’s football as a preparation for the first team – and in the under-18s you miss that physicality and experience.

“I truly believe to this day, playing men’s football at a young age has got me to where I am today.

“I played for the reserves at 14 and made my debut for first team at 15 – if I didn’t play for the reserves then I would never have got into the first team.

“There has always been a great flow of young local players coming through – and where will they go to be nurtured now?

“The reserves play a great brand of football and they love playing for Bridgwater; what a shame to get rid of that new fresh talent coming through.”

First team manager Richard Fey described the decision as ‘disappointing but necessary’ – and said he would be inviting players from the reserve team to pre-season training with the first team squad.

“With regards to the reserves and ladies decision, it is disappointing and unfortunately the decision had to be made due to finance.

“One thing is for certain – long after the current board and I have retired, we need to make sure there is a Bridgwater Town football club for this massive town.

“I appreciate the college have been running the reserves and also called themselves Team BC but the club made the decision purely on cost as it was financially hurting the club.

“No matter what is said from people up and down the country, those are the facts.

“This club has changed dramatically since I joined two years ago and was in big debt.

“If it wasn’t for the current chairman, family, board and committee, this club wouldn’t be here.”

Bridgwater Town Reserves currently sit in tenth place in the Somerset County Premier Division, having won nine and drawn ten of their 29 games with a very youthful side