.LOYAL March Rangers Ladies football team player Ella Rolfe has issued an SOS to save her team.

She plays with the club’s U16 team - having started three years ago with the U13s. But the team could fold unless more players come forward.

Ella said: “Unfortunately this year, due to other commitments, we have lost many players, which has coincided with us moving into a 9-a-side league. This means, without a few more players, we won’t have a team, as we simply don’t have the players.”

And she has words of encouragement for girls who fear they might not be good enough.

She said: “I still remember how nervous I was going to the first training, thinking would I be good enough? But the night was really enjoyable, everyone helped me out with things I found difficult and, by the end, I didn’t want to go home! I still feel the same way now.

“If there are any girls out there who, like me, want to play but don’t think they will be good enough, come along to training and you’ll see just how entertaining being part of March Rangers is!

“It’s a great way of keeping fit and to be part of something really rewarding.”

The club trains on Thursday at the Elm Road sports field in March, from 6pm-7.30 pm. For further information visit www.marchrangers.co.uk or call Ian Huggins, on 07919-370963.

The FA is inviting every league in the country to sign-up to the principles of Respect and to introduce some practical steps at club level to ensure football is played in a safe, positive environment.

The programme is free to join and there are resources available to support clubs to introduce Respect.

The Respect programme includes four practical steps to improve behaviour - on the pitch and on the sidelines - in and at matches throughout the country:

Step 1: Respect Codes of Conduct
There is a Code of Conduct for each of the five main types of football participant: Young Players, Adult Players, Spectators and Parents/Carers, Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials, and Match Officials. Each Code explains actions can be taken if the Code is broken.

Step 2: Designated Spectator Areas
The FA recommends you introduce marked areas along the touchlines, within which spectators must stay. The idea behind this is to encourage parents and spectators to take a step back from the pitch and support the teams in a more responsible manner.

Step 3: Captain taking responsibility
There will be a drive to enhance captaincy skills, encouraging captains to take full responsibility for their players' actions and behaviour.

Step 4: Referee managing the game
There will be a similar drive to enhance referees' match management skills - to create an environment where potential problems are addressed before they escalate.

This is supported by an education programme, with Respect modules being added into all FA Learning courses.

Respect affects the entire game, and needs your help, regardless of how you are involved in football.

Whether you're in the starting eleven or on the bench, your role as a player is crucial to the success of Respect.

On a matchday, you'll be expected to work with your coaches and your captain to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse. With the game losing thousands of referees from the game every year, it's hugely important, because without the referees, the game isn't the same.

If the league you play in adopts the Respect programme, you will be asked to read, agree to, and sign, a Code of Conduct at your club. This will be your 'promise' to abide by a set of rules governing your behaviour as a player. Working together with your coach, your captain, and each referee that takes charge of your games during the season, you can play a major role in improving the game for everyone, through Respect.

Coaches have a hugely important role to play in Respect, as they are not only responsible for their own behaviour, but they can also influence that of their players and spectators, too.

On a matchday, you'll be expected to work with your players, parents and other spectators to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse.

The Respect programme aims to allow Referees to officiate matches without being subjected to abuse by players, coaches or spectators - and the referees themselves have a key part to play in the process.

Working in partnership with the clubs they officiate, referees can provide post-match feedback regarding the behaviour of players, parents, coaches and other spectators, to help the clubs enforce their Codes of Conduct.

Parents have a big responsibility as part of the Respect programme.

Respect is working to eradicate touchline abuse in football, and parents can play their part by agreeing to, and signing, their club's Code of Conduct and abiding by them throughout the season.

Parents also have a responsibility for their children's behaviour. The players will also be asked to sign a Code of Conduct, and parents can encourage their children to adhere to the players' code.

The Respect programme relies on clubs and leagues to take active steps to ensure high standards of conduct throughout their club or league.

Leagues can champion the Respect programme, and communicate the importance of Respect to their member clubs through meetings and bulletins.

Club officials can sign up to and enforce Codes of Conduct for their players, coaches, parents and spectators, which will set the standard for behaviour throughout their club.

The Captain's Role

As your team's captain, you have a vital role to play in helping us achieve the number one priority for footballers in The FA's biggest-ever survey of grassroots football - a referee for every game.