EVENWOOD Town FC have launched an appeal for help to raise £4,000 for new floodlights by the end of August.

The club face relegation from the Northern League unless they can find the money and manager Ken Houlahan said: "This is a potentially devastating blow for the club.

"We must have floodlights in order to play in the Northern League.

"After a recent inspection it was discovered that the floodlights we have at the moment don't meet current health and safety requirements.

"We are determined to raise £4,000 by August, which is 10pc of the total cost of the new floodlights, and the FA will contribute the rest.

"We would like to appeal to any local businesses and the local community to help us to raise this amount."

The club, who have a full senior team and hold regular training sessions for juniors, have planned a number of activities such as raffles, sponsored activities and events in an effort to raise the cash.

Plans have been in place to improve the pitches and facilities and Mr Houlahan added: "If we don't raise the money for the floodlights we could be relegated to a lower league.

"This in turn could mean that we would be unable to access grants and funding for our planned developments and that would be a real shame, not only for the football club, but for Evenwood and the surrounding villages."

Anybody interested in helping the club to reach its target should contact Mr Houlahan on 01388 776633.