‘RESTRICTIONS COULD KILL US'

PITCHING in Northern Premier League clubs South Shields, FC United of Manchester and Scarborough Athletic have written to the government over a lack of financial support.

- David Richardson

The trio have joined forces in campaigning for help saying coronavirus regulations ‘are in danger of forcing us out of existence’.

The clubs are limited to crowds of 600, although local lockdowns have reduced the number further, way below their average attendances and new restrictions have also hit their food and beverage revenue.

The letter, signed by FC United board chair Adrian Seddon, South Shields chairman Geoff Thompson and Scarborough chief Trevor Bull, states how they feel abandoned and are pleading for government support.

It read: “We believe that there is a flawed perception that all grassroots football clubs can sustain themselves within the current government restrictions and would agree that this is the case for the vast majority.