Gillford Park have been given a fortnight’s leeway to resolve their ground problems – but they’re not facing expulsion from the league at the moment.

The Cumbrian club has had major problems with their landlords this season, and have been prevented from playing home games. They were due to play Seaham in Carlisle on Saturday, and Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday, but both games have been switched to the Cumberland Academy ground in Whitehaven, 35 miles away.

The club attended a special Northern League management committee meeting on Thursday night, and league chairman Mike Amos said: “We've agreed to allow Gillford Park to groundshare for the next two weeks while they provide further evidence of their attempts to resolve the situation and get back on their home ground. It will be further considered at the league meeting on January 27. Gillford Park, it should be said, are sympathetic to claims for additional travelling costs from clubs who might have to go to Whitehaven.

“Gillford Park are trying very hard to resolve their ground problems, but whether a resolution is imminent is hard to say. As a league, we’re doing our best to help them, but there are other things going on which I can’t disclose which I hope might bring the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible.

"But at the moment, there is no ultimatum. We’ll be prepared to let them play on other people’s grounds until the end of the season if necessary. The FA have told us that there is a precedent of a club playing on two other grounds in a season, as Gillford can also use Gretna if necessary. It is a difficult situation for everyone concerned, one that very urgently needs addressing.”

Gillford have tried to carry out ground improvements on their home ground, but according to Amos, have been locked out by their landlords this week.

However, there is concern and apprehension around the other second division clubs about the standard of the facilities, field and floodlights at the Copeland stadium, but the Northern League are prepared to let Gillford play there in the short term, although they haven’t made a formal inspection of the facilities yet. Gillford still have 19 home games to play.