A FOOTBALL club is being forced to leave its historic home of almost six decades due to mounting financial pressures.

Billingham Synthonia will play their final game at Central Avenue this weekend and will not return to the ground next season, which has been their base since 1958.

The club, known as the Synners, confirmed it has been forced to make the move due to “unsustainable running and maintenance costs” at the ground, mainly with the Cantilever Stand, adding it was the only way they could “survive”.

Bosses at the club have therefore decided to hire the pitch and facilities at Station Road in Norton, near Stockton, to provide time to “rebuild the club from top to bottom”.

The club has confirmed it will play at Station Road, the home of former Northern League club Norton & Stockton Ancients, for the next two years.

David Hillerby, chairman of Billingham Synthonia FC, said the decision was a “positive move” for the football club to ensure its future was “sustainable”.

“The move to Norton is a temporary one, giving us chance to talk to the council and The Football Association to make a pathway forward to providing a sustainable future for the football club,” he said.

“It will be the start of a long hard journey but we are going to do everything we can to ensure the future of the club.

“It would be impossible to survive at Central Avenue and that’s why we have made this decision,” he added.

Glenn Youngman, chairman of the Northern Football League, said mounting financial pressures are a concern for all clubs.

“Costs are always an issue – they keep on going up every season.

“Clubs are trying to sustain the effects by bringing in income from other sources, but it is very difficult,” he added.

The last game for the Synners at Central Avenue, currently called the CLS Sports Stadium, will be on Saturday against Willington.

The club, who are currently chasing promotion from Northern Football League Division Two, are inviting ex players, fans, committee and family members to be there.

“We want to remember our history but now also look to what will hopefully be a brighter future,” added Mr Hillerby.