BARTLEY Green have been suffering a torrid time this season in the West Midlands League Premier Division, having lost 23 of their 26 games.

The Halesowen-based side have been cast adrift at the bottom of the table.

Matters weren’t helped when a number of their players left the Illey Lane club during the summer to join Midland Combination side Earlswood Town.

The Green brought in Gary Bell from Kidderminster Harriers.

And chairman Pat Goulding explained: “Gary was involved with the youth sides at Harriers and the idea was to use some of the Harriers Academy players, but it didn’t really work out.

“They found it difficult to cope with what is a very unforgiving level of football”.

The Green have since brought in Joe Beard as boss, who is being assisted by former Malvern and Bewdley Town player Paul Edwards.

Mr Goulding confirmed: “We are now on the look out for some experienced players who are used to playing at West Midlands League Premier lev-el. We used to attract players from the Birmingham area when we played in the Midland Combination.

“But since having to switch to the West Midland League two years ago, we have started looking at different areas, particularly Kidderminster, Halesowen and Stourbridge”.

If anyone is interested in playing for Bartley Green, they should contact him on 07836 782562.