IT'S a typical October night in Willington. It's pitch black dark, there's a bitingly cold wind and the rain is bucketing down. Only the foolish would venture out unless they had a very good reason.

And what better reason than turning out to support Willington AFC?

Weather-wise, the Hall Lane ground may be a pretty hostile place, but that hasn't stopped a handful of loyal supporters turning up for the first round of the Durham County Challenge Cup against Ryhope CW.

Apparently unaware of how bitterly cold it is on the terraces, fans reckons there is nowhere they would rather be.

Stalwart Colin Marr, 77, has been a regular feature at Hall Lane since he was a young boy and has no intention of giving up.

He says: "I'm not really interested in the big guns, with fancy stadiums and foreign stars, because my home team is more important to me.

"After years of supporting them you grow to love a team like this, I'll always be Willington through and through."

Keith Newton, of Brandon, produces the official programme and runs the turnstile.

"I'm originally from Willington and although I've lived away for most my life I could never change teams, it would be like a Sunderland supporter changing allegiance to Newcastle.

"At a small club like this everybody pitches in to keep things going, that makes a great atmosphere."

After Tuesday's game, a 5-0 victory for Willington, chairman John Phelan said: "Nights like that are great for Willington, its what the fans deserve."

But times are hard in football. Even the big clubs such as Ipswich and Derby are feeling the pinch. The collapse of ITV Digital - and the loss of more than £100m in anticipated revenue has plunged the sport into crisis.

And the impact has been felt all the way down to the very grassroots of the sport.

Minnows such as Willington - always living on the bread line - are facing a life-or-death struggle for survival.

Sitting in the lower half of the Albany Northern League second division, Willington AFC is a club struggling like so many others.

It's all a far cry from the club's heyday in April 1950 when Willington beat Bishop Auckland 4-0 to win the FA Amateur Cup Final at Wembley.

In those days thousands would turn out for important matches - an incredible 10,000 for an Amateur Cup tie with Bromley.

While fans aim for a place in the league's first division and a ground revamp, the management committee is just hoping to make its centenary celebrations in 2006.

Manager David Styles said: "We've the potential to do well in the league but the more support the better, it would be a real shame if the club cannot survive much longer."

"It shows how welcoming the club is to see how far some of the players travel for games and training.

"Paul Clapham and John McCaffrey are stationed in Yeovil for the RAF and are lucky to get expenses for making the effort, the club is really grateful for their dedication."

To boost the club's coffers, club and Northern League mementoes will be auctioned and former Sunderland striker Eric Gates will be speaker at Willington Workingmen's Club on Friday next week.

Mr Phelan said: "This event should be great fun and the money raised will help the club, probably to improve facilities.

"Residents have backed the club before and it is greatly appreciated, hopefully that will happen again.

"Its for people who care about the club and the whole town that we need to progress."

Tickets for the evening are £8, including pie and peas, and are available on match days or call Mr Phelan on (01388) 768551.