ONE of Gwent's greatest football clubs has been forced to disband its second team as it battles to ensure its very survial.

Abergavenny Thursdays, one of the original founder members of the League of Wales, broke the news to the Gwent F.A. last week and the shock announcement is sure to leave fans of the famous old club heartbroken.

The club has witnessed a dramatic fall from grace over the last ten years as it has struggled to pay spiralling debts.

And as its two sides slumped from the dizzy heights of life amongst Welsh football's elite to the humbling aftermath of the lower leagues it had to watch - a heartbroken bystander. Thursday's second team had until recently played in the Owens Corning Central league where they were fighting a basement battle against relegation.

Manager Bill Mainwaring, who also coaches the first team, explained why the team had been withdrawn.

"The players were incurring fines from the Gwent F.A. because they were not confirming league results after the match.

"Around £110 is owed and the players should pay them. We've had problems with the seconds for a few seasons now and it wasn't a good scenario for the club." But at the moment Thursdays are facing even bigger problems.

The first team is bottom of the Gwent County First Division and the club is desperately trying to secure a new ground lease with Monmouthshire County Council at Pen-y-Pound park - their once fortress home.

Monmouth County Council has already held meetings with the club and the Sports Council of Wales to discuss its plight.

The council is desperate to see Thursdays back on its feet but remain sceptical of its future at the moment.

"The club has two years left on the lease and the council would like to see the club in a stronger position before extending the lease.

"We have asked the club to produce a five year plan and we will offer our services to help them," Mark Elson, communications officer with Monmouthshire County Council said. On a positive note the club is pressing ahead with plans to launch an under 16 and 18 side after Christmas.

"Hopefully we will have some friendly games for these teams soon. We need the local community to get involved in the club to secure its future," Mainwaring added.

*PICTURED: Spence Youth's fullback Gary Rayner attempts to block a cross from Abercarn United's Robert Huish. Abercarn went on to register a shock 4-2 win in Division One of the Gwent County League.