A CRISIS facing one of the North-East's most famous non-league football clubs has deepened after they failed to fulfil a fixture for the fourth time this season.

Spennymoor United are in serious trouble with the UniBond League after they failed to send a team to play Liverpool side Marine on Saturday.

The league's patience was already wearing thin after three previous no-shows, and it looks as if the club's fate will be decided by a meeting of UniBond League chairmen on April 24.

Moors' inability to fulfil those other fixtures against Leek, Bridlington and Radcliffe was being discussed at a league management meeting yesterday.

League secretary Duncan Bayley told The Northern Echo last night that a decision had been made on what action to take, but would not disclose the outcome until the club had been informed today.

Spennymoor owner Benny Mottram told the league in advance that he was not attending the meeting, and sent a fax instead.

Mottram said: "We pleaded not guilty to the charges."

Moors said that they were unable to field a goalkeeper, but it appears that their defence will wear a bit thin with the league, which said that the club had three keepers registered.

The league could expel or suspend Moors as well as deducting points and handing out fines.

They have already been fined more than £1,000 for their previous offences and, on top of the latest no-shows, they could also be fined for not bringing their ground, which they share with Bishop Auckland, up to standard.

Moors are due to play two midweek games this week, at home to Prescot Cables tomorrow night, then away to Leek again for a third attempt on Thursday.

To make matters worse, they have also been charged with failing to deal with league business by not arranging an appointment with the FA's financial advisory unit.

It is understood that Moors have not submitted the required two years of accounts.

Mr Mottram said that the paperwork for one season was lost in a clubhouse fire at the Brewery Field on Christmas Day, 2003.

Mr Mottram was not available for comment last night.