A NON-LEAGUE football club is facing possible closure if a neighbouring professional club carries out its threat to apply for a winding-up order.

The future of Billingham Town Football Club is in the balance after Hartlepool United issued a writ in connection with debts of £10,443.97. The writ was taped to the gates of Billingham’s Bedford Terrace ground.

Hartlepool United uses the ground for some reserve games in return for maintaining the pitch and improving facilities. United says it has spent a significant amount of cash in recent seasons.

But the Billingham club said the agreement was made by a former regime and there is no money to pay. The club will face the winding-up order on May 18 if it fails to pay the money United is demanding.

Tom Donnelly, director of Billingham Town FC, said: “The club committee knew absolutely nothing about this agreement until it was brought to our attention by Hartlepool.”

Mr Donnelly said the agreement means Hartlepool is effectively charging Town rent for playing on its own ground.

He said: “Before the agreement was signed, without our knowledge, Hartlepool were paying us to use our ground.

“We are going to try our best to keep the club going and we have been overwhelmed by support from clubs across the region.”

Since the row erupted, the club has been working with the Northern League to try to resolve the problem with the club.

Mike Amos, chairman of skilltraining ltd Northern League, said: “As a league, we are desperate not to lose one of our best clubs that has tried very hard over the years to establish themselves in the town.

“That said, they have real difficulties because there are a lot of huge issues which need to be resolved before this gets to court on May 18.”

A statement issued by Hartlepool United said: “Despite several warnings to Billingham Town that Hartlepool United would seek and act upon legal advice if the debt owing to Hartlepool United was not paid, Billingham Town continued to ignore payment demands and also continue to play on the pitch at Bedford Terrace, which Hartlepool United was maintaining at their cost.

“For the sake of clarity, Billingham Town were fully aware of the terms of the agreement that they had signed and, despite claims by them that the agreement was signed by a former director, in Hartlepool United’s opinion, it remains valid.”