Town's football club on the brink

Willenhall Football Club was today on the brink of extinction after being told it will have to pay rent to remain at its home, its chairman has revealed.

It was announced today that Sporting Khalsa will start charging the cash-strapped club to continue using its Noose Lane ground when it takes over ownership of the site next season.

The new freehold owner is set to move in next month and is also expected to take over The Lockmen's main source of income the social club and bar for itself.

That would mean that the only income for Willenhall FC, which has been running since 1953, would be from fans coming through the gates, and sponsorship.

With home games usually attracting only around 50 people, club chairman Les Burrows said there would not be enough cash to keep the club alive unless people stepped out in support.

"If we want to remain at the ground we have been told we will have to pay rent and the new owners will not be investing in the club, which is disappointing," Mr Burrows said.

"We believe they will take over control of the social club for themselves as well, so it will be very frustrating because it will not really be our home any longer.

"The only revenue we will have is people coming through the gates and that covers match officials. So I don't know where the money will come from.

"If people want Willenhall FC to carry on they will have to sponsor us, and even the smallest sponsorship would be welcome."

The club's budget is around £30,000 a year.

Mr Burrows added: "We have survived on almost nothing this season. That was my aim, to finish the season, which is an achievement because I thought we would fold before.

"But we cannot do that forever."

Receivers were brought in over a £60,000 debt owed to landowner Marston's by Willenhall FC in May, and the freehold lease for the ground and its buildings was put up for sale in September.

Sporting Khalsa, which plays in the Sport Italia West Midlands Regional League, is set to move in within weeks. No-one at the club was available for comment today.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Willenhall FC can call 01902 636586.