EVENWOOD Town are the latest in a series of North-East non-league clubs to experience difficulties.

Earlier this week, The Northern Echo reported how Brandon United may resign from the Albany Northern league due to a lack of volunteers.

Spennymoor United have also been in serious difficulties and have been fined for failing to attend fixtures.

Ken Houlahan, manager of Evenwood Town, said: "It's becoming increasingly difficult for a number of clubs.

"The requirements to be in a national league pyramid are increasingly difficulty.

"The burden of administration imposing on volunteers is becoming unreal and people just don't want to get involved.

"We have got the same forms for the FA Cup as Manchester United have to fill in.

"There are now three levels in football the international competition, the Champions League and the Premiership.

"At the end of the day, people have got Premiership Plus on television so why would they want to come and stand in the cold and damp at a windy football ground.

"If people were to try it they might enjoy it but its just not happening.

"I would predict that in the next five years a lot of clubs are going to go to the wall."

North-East clubs in crisis:

l March 30: Evenwood Town manager Ken Houlahan warns that repeated attacks by vandals could force the club into closure.

l April 9: Unibond team Spennymoor United fail to fulfil a league fixture for the fourth time this season. The club has already been fined £1,000 for previous offences.

l May 16: A new supporters' trust, called AFC Spennymoor United, set up to take over Spennymoor United, hopes to be allowed to play in the UniBond league next season. The club still owes £10,000 in fines.

l May 17: Brandon United threatens to quit ANL because of a lack of volunteers.

l May 18: Another consortium is meeting with Spennymoor Town Council today with hopes of taking over Spennymoor United.