North Tyneside non-league football team faces collapse as fixture suspension is granted

West Allotment Celtic FC has issued a plea for help after it announced that it is “on the brink” of folding due to financial reasons.

The club, which was founded in 1928, has applied for a two-week fixture suspension as it seeks time to try and secure the future of the football team.

The loss of main sponsors Wade Financial has severely impacted the finances of the North Tyneside club, which has added to a number of issues that it was already facing.

David Dodds, chairman at West Allotment Celtic FC, highlighted all of these issues in a statement on social media.

He commented: “West Allotment Celtic FC is sadly on the brink of folding and has written to the Northern League to ask for two weeks suspension of fixtures to explore if the club can continue.

“A number of factors have led the club to this point.

“The loss of our main sponsor, Wade Financial, who over many years helped the club left a hole in club finances which has never been replaced - added to this was the rent this season tripling.

“The club this season tried to make the match day experience much better by the provision of an on-site catering unit and also a bar offering draught lager and cider. Increased social media and roadside boards advertising fixtures were also used.

“Despite this, the local community has shown very little interest in non-league football and even when the club finished fifth in Division One, attendances were poor.

“The club has probably the lowest playing budget in the league but even if this was reduced further, the costs of running the club would not be covered.

“Our situation is not an isolated one with many clubs seeing falling attendances.”

David has revealed that there has been a lack of people to take up key roles at the club and has now appealed to anyone who can help keep West Allotment Celtic FC afloat.

He added: “The other major factor is that like many we have an ageing committee and despite many attempts the failure to attract new members to step up and take on roles such as secretary and treasurer.

“Our current treasurer is stepping down after fifty years of service, with many others on the committee having been involved with the club a similar amount of time.

“As Chairman as I have been involved with West Allotment for 25 years in one role or another and that role now involves making sensible decisions and in this case a very difficult one.

“The club did not wish to dig itself into a financial hole leaving lots of debts.

“If anyone is interested in trying to help the club continue please get in touch directly. We will need investment and people to join the committee in roles such as treasurer and secretary.

“Our junior and Ladies teams will continue as they are not connected financially to WACFC so the name will go forward to reach our 100th anniversary in four years time.”

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The Northern League has confirmed that it has granted West Allotment Celtic FC a two-week fixture suspension and offered its support to the club.

A statement from the league said: “The Northern League management committee have agreed a two week suspension of fixtures for Division One side West Allotment Celtic.

“The League is aware of the issues facing the club and has offered its support in the hope that a positive conclusion can be found.

“As a result, their ties against Redcar Athletic and Newcastle Blue Star have been postponed.”

If you can help West Allotment Celtic FC, then contact David on 07977 413102.