Warning on football club

Halesowen Town's fans have been warned they will not survive in the top flight of the Southern League unless they find an investor to replace chairman Nigel Pitt.

The stark message came as around 70 of the club's supporters packed into the club's Yeltz Bar last night for a public meeting to discuss the future of the club.

Director Mark Serrell, who is standing down along with Mr Pitt at the end of the season, warned fans that the club will "find its natural level" unless Mr Pitt's financial donations are replaced.

Mr Serrell told the meeting: "I am asking people whether they want to be at this level – because they cannot sustain it without extra investment.

"We are appealing to supporters, business people and the people of Halesowen to help. It's not our club, it's their club.

"Naturally the club will find its level. If income goes down then the playing budget goes down and the results of that are obvious."

Mr Serrell gave a presentation on the club's finances and revealed it makes a profit of just £45,000 per year without contributions from directors.

He said this amounted to only around £50 per player per week for a 24-strong squad – well below the current average, believed to be more than £100 per player.

Mr Serrell, who called the meeting to discuss options for the future, assured fans that the club was debt-free and would continue to exist even without his and Mr Pitt's financial support.

But he said it was unlikely it could remain in the British Gas Business League Premier Division with its current income.

He appealed for the Halesowen public to support the club in greater numbers by boosting attendances, which have fallen by 33 per cent in the last three years to an average of below 400.

He revealed that three people had contacted Mr Pitt so far to express an interest in taking over.