A NON-LEAGUE football club threatened with closure because of a lack of volunteers is to keep playing.

The committee of Albany Northern League Brandon United, in County Durham, decided not to close the club after a plea for help in running it was answered at a public meeting.

The handful of committee stalwarts had warned that the club would go out of existence unless new blood was found to share the organisational burden.

"In view of the offers of help, we felt that one problem had been solved in that we have got people who might take up the reins when we finish,'' said chairman Neil Scott.

"Although we are not in debt, we still need finance to see us through the coming year - but there is progress on that front.

"Our main sponsors, Brambledown Landscapes and Hewart and Burn, have said they will continue, but we need extra finance because out social club is not contributing to the football side of things.''

League chairman Mike Amos said: "I'm delighted because it is only two seasons ago they won the league and they didn't get as much support and sponsorship on the back of it as they thought they would and the finances appear to have drained away a bit.

"For them to have a new lease of life is great. We have a number of clubs that are living fairly close to the edge and if Brandon are going to be moving a little bit further away from the edge, I'm glad."

Sponsors, or anyone interested in managing the team, are asked to call secretary Brian Richardson, on 0191-378 1373.