A FOOTBALL club has complained after nearly £60,000 of housing developers' money was allocated to one organisation, leaving none for other groups.

Tow Law Town AFC hoped to secure some of Wear Valley District Council's section 106 agreement money to redevelop its clubhouse and improve disabled access at its Ironworks Road ground.

But after discussions with the council, officials were shocked to discover that all of the £58,200 fund for Tow Law had been given to the body that manages the town's recreation centre and Naismith Mews Sports Complex.

A total of £53,200 was allocated for resurfacing and maintaining the recreation ground play area, while £5,000 went on resurfacing the sports complex's all-weather pitch.

"As a committee, we at Tow Law Town AFC have very strong feelings and find these circumstances very unusual," said a spokesman for the club, where former England international Chris Waddle began his career.

"We've never known 100 per cent of any funding going towards one project in this manner.

"We only found out about these funds after speaking to our friends from Crook Town AFC.

"Crook benefited by about £330,000, with funds being shared around various organisations - the football, cricket and bowls clubs and playgrounds."

In March, the Tow Law Recreation Centre also received £25,000 for resurfacing from housing provider Home, after being contacted by Councillor Jeff Gale.

Section 106 money is given to a council by developers who build in their area, and Tow Law boasts new estates at Naismith Mews and Cattle Market.

The council's strategic director for resource management, Gary Ridley, said: "The sports hall is open to all and the section 106 money has been spent in line with the agreement, for sport and recreation.

"The football club should complain to us and not the paper, otherwise we cannot resolve anything."

At a council meeting last week, members agreed a new protocol to divide section 106 money, which is expected to come into force next month.

The council's chief executive Michael Laing said: "We hope that communities will bid and we look forward to receiving those bids and working with ward councillors to see how that money can be spent."