AN amateur football team face being kicked out of the league for repeatedly leaving their council run changing rooms in a filthy state.

Tudhoe United FC have played in the Spennymoor Sunday League, in County Durham, for a decade.

But they have been shown a red card by Spennymoor Town Council, which owns the pitch and changing rooms they use at Tudhoe Community Centre for home games.

Councillors turfed the team out of their changing facilities after hearing players regularly left the building covered in mud, untidy and insecure after games.

Town clerk Pauline Wilson told council members she has written to the club every season since 2006 and met officials.

She said: “Tudhoe United weren’t cleaning or locking the facility – the privilege of using the facility had to be withdrawn.”

Appealing to the council for a change of heart, player and treasurer Allan Barratt wrote: “We are very much a village community football club.

“It would be a real disappointment for the team if we have to close and stop playing together.”

He promised to take responsibility for his team-mates’ behaviour and said the situation would improve – but council members said the club had run out of chances.

Councillor Kevin Thompson said: “I’m quite happy to make an example of someone. We want to support local people and teams, but they should not be disrespecting community equipment.”

Councillor Ian Harrington said: “Let them use the fields, but get changed in the back of their cars.”

Mrs Wilson warned residents might complain if they see players getting changed in the open.

But Councillor Clive Maddison said: “Unless they get a short sharp shock, things won’t change.”

Members agreed the team could use the pitch but not the changing rooms.

League rules state teams must have changing facilities next to their pitch or seek approval of the referee to play without them before every game.

It is understood Tudhoe United are trying to relocate to facilities at nearby Croxdale before next season but if they do not secure a new pitch they face being turfed out of the league.