A HEARTBROKEN Barry soccer player has been told that she is too old to play for her team - just because she is a girl.

Eleven-year old Sophie Ingle is the best player in the Sea View Under-11s mixed-sex team.

The Brook Street striker was voted Player of the Year and Team Player of the Year for the last four seasons.

But despite a string of awards, trophies and accolades, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) is banning her from playing mixed-sex games as of next September.

Her coach and team manager Mike Ling, 35, is prepared to fight it all the way.

He told the News: "Sophie is our best player. She was the first girl to train in the Vale of Glamorgan's football development centre, captains her school team and scored 78 goals in just one season.

Her talent is well-known throughout our league. We won't let her go without a fight."

The FAW's John Deakin said Sophie must play in a local girls' league next season.

Her father Stephen said: "There have been two cases in the last three years where girls have made the FAW back down.

One was in north Wales, the other in the west.

The FAW say girls cannot play in a mixed team after they turn 12 and have to play in a local girls' league.

But there isn't one in this geographical area.

And we don't think Sophie should have to go to Merthyr or Brecon just to play competitive football."

Liverpool fan Sophie said: "I have been playing for four years and I love it.

But if I can't play with my team, I'll give up altogether."

Mike added: "We're going to put as much pressure on the FAW as possible.

We've got another three girls in the club and we won't let them take our talent away."