LACK of support on and off the field has forced a village football club to fold after almost 50 years.

The final whistle blew for Roddymoor FC, which played at Peases West, near Crook, County Durham, the day after the death of its most loyal fan, former miner Tut Parkin.

The 86-year-old great grandfather had watched the club since it was formed in the 1950s, at the same time as the Crook and District League, and never missed a match until his health deteriorated last year.

Widower Mr Parkin, christened Joseph Henry, shared in his team's successes.

He collected more than 100 trophies, because every time Roddymoor won a competition, they would give him the same memento as the players.

In 1998, he had a trophy all to himself when the club rewarded his devotion by presenting him with a silver salver.

Norma Williams, one of Mr Parkin's family of four daughters and a son, said he would have been heartbroken to see Roddymoor fold.

She said: "In a way, I am pleased he did not know. He would have been really sad, because he supported them since they started and was part of the club."

Roddymoor treasurer and former chairman Allen Pilkington said yesterday: "It seems ironic that our lifelong supporter died on the same weekend that the club folded."

Last year, Mr Pilkington appealed for someone to come forward and take over the running of the club, which faces a hefty fine for withdrawing from the Auckland and District League.

Officials had found it increasingly difficult to find players to make up the team.

Club president Colin Hemingway said: "It is very, very sad, but it is difficult to find people who want to be involved in the running of small village football clubs, while the youngsters are not interested in playing any more."

One of Roddymoor's greatest achievements was winning the Norman Wright Trophy four years in succession.

Two years ago, they hosted a sportsman's evening, starring former Chelsea star Peter Osgood, to raise £600 for disabled Crook youngster Lyndon Longhorne.

The club's closure leaves the Auckland league with just eight teams.

Officials are considering introducing new cup competitions to give teams more matches to play.