MORE THAN a century of footballing tradition is set to disappear as the 108-year-old Hampshire League could cease to exist at the end of this season.

There are plans to merge the Hampshire League into a bigger and better Sydenhams Wessex League in a move designed to strengthen the position of the clubs in the FA's National Pyramid System.

After extensive talks between officials of the two leagues, FA sanction is being sought for a new-look Wessex League, comprising four senior divisions and three combination divisions for the 2004/05 season, with the top three divisions acting as steps five, six and seven in the Pyramid.

The existing Wessex League first division would be Division 1 of the new league and clubs from the Hampshire League's Premier Division - plus a sprinkling of Dorset Premier clubs - would form the new Division 2.

Division 3 would feature clubs from the Hampshire League's first division, while the temporary Division 4 would consist of the Hampshire League's second division clubs and operate outside the Pyramid system.

By 2006/07 there would be only three senior divisions and those clubs unable to meet required ground grading standards would drop into local football.

The Hampshire Combination is set to continue next season - minus reserve sides of current Hampshire Premier clubs. They would join the current Wessex set-up and be divided geographically into east and west divisions.

Ultimately, ground grading set by the Football Association will determine the level at which each club will play and clubs will be given until the 2006/07 season to meet those requirements.

Hampshire League chairman John Moody said: "I am saddened that after 108 years the Hampshire Football League will be no more.

"But this is a new era and I feel that this rationalisation will give all our clubs more security in the new National League System as well as being the best move for regional football.

"We pushed for this as much as the Wessex League and we're very pleased to be partners in a new league of four. It took a lot of negotiating but we found more common ground than we thought."

The Hampshire Football League will hold an emergency general meeting on February 18 at Stoneham Park, Eastleigh, when the clubs are expected to back the proposal.

SWL chairman Alf Peckham said: "This will stabilise football in the Wessex area. It means that clubs who want to progress can progress.

"Some will eventually have to go back to the leagues from whence they came but if things are left as they are, they might have to go back to local football in any case under the non-league restructuring."