Brandon United is to quit the Albany Northern League unless it can attract more volunteers to help assure its future.

The County Durham club is run by a handful of veterans in their 50s to 70s who say it can only move forward if younger people shoulder some responsibility.

Brandon was a Sunday league club - it won the FA Sunday Cup in 1976 - that made the transition to Saturday football and in 1983 joined the Northern League.

It twice battled its way through the FA Cup's qualifiers to play Football League opposition in the First Round Proper in 1979 and 1988. The club lifted the Northern League title two years ago.

Unlike Unibond League club Spennymoor, the club says it is prudently run and has no debt. Much of its revenue is generated by its social club, which would close, putting its stewardess and bar staff out of work.

"There were 18 of us on the committee a few years but now there are only six and two of those are aged 69 and 70,'' said chairman Neil Scott. "We have been struggling to run the club for the last couple of years.

"We need a new line of succession. None of us want to stand down. We want help and assistance.

"We need younger people to come in and assure the future of the club in the long-term.''

Bill Fisher, secretary of Brandon United's social club, said matches tended to attract crowds of 50 to 100, mostly children or pensioners.

He said the screening of professional football live almost every day of the week had impacted on attendances.

League secretary Tony Golightly said: "I'm shocked. If you thought of a club that might consider resigning from the league it wouldn't be Brandon.

"All our clubs are struggling unfortunately. They all rely on committees that are made up of older people. We are not getting any younger people coming in.

"TV sport has made a big difference to local sport like ours. Football is virtually on TV every day now. Also there is such a lot else for young people to do now.''

A public meeting seeking volunteers will be held at the clubhouse on Monday (may23) at 8pm. For further details call Mr Scott on 0191-526 8536.