The Barbers, who have won two premierships in the past three Benalla and District league seasons, could be forced to forfeit Saturday’s clash against Longwood with less than 15 players available.

Coach Ken Stevenson said yesterday the club would hold a special meeting to address its immediate future next week.

“It’s pretty grim and I hate to say it, but we’re probably going to go under unless something drastic happens,” Stevenson said yesterday.

“We forfeited the reserves last week and basically only had 15 senior players.

“The amazing thing was we actually won by four points, but we’ve copped a couple of injuries to our captain and vice-captain and I’m still not sure if we are going to be able to put a side out on the park this weekend.

“We won the flag last year and everything was flying and now we might not be around in a month’s time.”

Devenish cleared about 15 players during the off-season and has lost about another 10 due to retirement.

Among the retirements were veterans Terry Clarke, John Brunner and Damien Walsh, whose bodies could no longer stand up to playing, Stevenson said.

“A lot of guys have moved away, got families, started businesses and just can’t afford to get hurt anymore,” he said.

“It’s really come as a shock because four weeks ago we thought we were a genuine chance to win another flag, and our side is still pretty good, it’s just there are only 15 of them.”

“We’ve got a bloke at full-forward in Dave Mathewson who kicked six at the weekend and 100 last year and most clubs would love a guy like that.”

Skipper Simon Patterson (broken wrist) and vice-captain Joel Hearn (hamstring) are unavailable this week, which could force the club to abandon the match.

Barbers president Peter Alexander said the club, which was formed in the 1880s, will call an extraordinary general meeting at the club next Thursday.

“It’s probably the worse situation we’ve been in for a long time and there are some real concerns that we won’t be able to keep going,” Alexander said.

“We’re in a good situation financially, but we just can’t attract the players.”