SATURDAY football in Worcester has been saved - at least for another season.

Fears were mounting that the Worcester and District League would have to discontinue its Saturday division for the first time in 114 years because of a shortage of teams.

Since the 1980s, membership has dropped from five divisions to the present one of 10 teams.

Hope was rekindled following an article in the Worcester News and, with new teams set to join, the league's management committee has given the green light to continue.

Nine teams have already been confirmed for next season's competition, while Grosvenor Sports and Worcester YMCA are hopeful of having their applications accepted.

Powick, currently second in the table, have applied to join the West Midlands League but will continue in the Worcester set-up if that fails.

League secretary Graham Russell said: "The Worcester Saturday League is going to continue. We have got 11 teams at least, if not 12.

"The management committee consider that this is sufficient to run a competition and to guarantee their wish that clubs only play each other once home and away in the league and to have one internal cup competition."

In addition, the committee will also consider the possibility of allowing teams to enter three external cup competitions, one more than this season.

Further entries for the Saturday division can be submitted up until the league's annual general meeting on Monday, June 11.

Russell added: "It is good news but we have got to do some work in the new season to make certain we don't come to the same situation."

The nine teams definitely lined up for the 2007/08 campaign are: Martley Spurs, Hallow WMC, Talbot (Worcester), West Malvern, Hanley Swan, Upton Town, Pershore Manor Rovers, University of Worcester and VBL Sports.