AN anonymous benefactor offered to pay off a £10,000 debt which could force a nonleague football club out of business, it emerged yesterday.

But officials from Billingham Town FC were forced to turn down the offer, as the club would be left with more than £20,000 in legal fees.

The club is in a legal battle with Hartlepool United and yesterday faced a winding-up court hearing over the alleged £10,443.97 debt.

The Football League club uses Billingham Town’s ground for some reserve games and issued the writ saying it was owed money for maintenance and repairs it carried out.

But Billingham Town say the agreement was made by a former regime and maintains there is no money to pay.

Fans from rival non-league clubs, including Guisborough Town, Whitby and Whitley Bay, turned up to show their support at yesterday’s hearing.

The two clubs are set to get around the table next week in a bid to resolve the financial wrangling without having to rely on the judicial system.

Richard Bloomfield, who was representing Billingham Town at Middlesbrough County Court yesterday, said: “We have always wanted to resolve this by negotiation. We are more than happy to negotiate and look forward to staying where we are, staying in our home and playing in the Northern League.”

Adjourning the hearing until December 23, District Judge Stephen Traynor hoped the two clubs could reach an amicable agreement without having to rely on his judgement.

He said: “I would encourage the parties to have negotiations because it is in the best interests to do so and resolve the matter amicably.”

Speaking outside the court, Billingham Town committee member Peter Martin said: “On Monday, Tom Donnelly [the club’s life president] was contacted by Russ Green, former chief executive of Hartlepool United FC, who informed him an anonymous business from Hartlepool was prepared to pay the sum of approximately £10,500 demanded by the football club.

“Tom immediately rejected the offer. Including legal costs it would now cost approximately £30,000 to resolve the disputed claim made by Hartlepool United.”

A meeting is due to take place on Wednesday in a lastditch bid to resolve the issue.

A Hartlepool United spokesman said: “We are hopeful these negotiations will bring about a resolution to this matter to the benefit of all parties.”