A TOWN football club hopes to sign up a team of dedicated supporters to help to save its league status ahead of its centenary celebrations.

Willington AFC chairman John Phelan fears the town's football heritage is at risk of being lost if the club, languishing at the foot of the Albany Northern League, cannot fight off the threat of relegation.

But he is confident that if a handful of enthusiastic football fans help the club to boost its coffers, the team could turn the season around so it is still playing in the league when it celebrates its 100th anniversary next season.

The club's Hall Lane ground has recently been modernised to league standard with almost £50,000 of grants and it recently settled a long-running debt dispute with brewery Interbrew.

The Northern League prohibits payment to players, but Mr Phelan hopes that a little extra cash could help attract key players by covering their travel expenses.

He said: "If there was an extra £50 to £60 coming into the club each week, we could possibly turn it around on the pitch now that behind the scenes things are going well.

"We may be able to get two or three players of sufficient class to travel to our games and freshen-up the side or add experience that might just help the performances.

"We have some good players already but need something extra."

Mr Phelan says that the people who could help don't have to be from Willington but need to be genuine football fans.

He said: "We need genuine football enthusiasts with new ideas about how to raise a bit more money and turn things around at such an important time in the club's history."

Manager Stan Cummins, a former Middlesbrough and Sunderland player, said: "I back John's efforts and know the situation is recoverable.

"Extra finances could only help the club, if that would help to bring a few players of quality into key positions that would help the team's situation and ultimately the club."

To help Willington AFC, call Mr Phelan on (01388) 768551.