Liversedge's plight close to crisis point

It is approaching 100 days since Liversedge last played a home game — on October 31 last year — during which time the club has had no income.

Secretary Bryan Oakes admits the situation is unprecedented in the 38 years he has been involved with the club.

Mr Oakes said: “I have not seen anything like this and I don’t think many clubs will have.

“With the weather as it is, rain just keeps topping up the levels and there is nowhere for the water to drain.

“The pitch looks beautiful but as soon as you stand on it the pitch moves like a jelly and it is dangerous.

“We still have gas and electric bills but with no gate, bar and food receipts the club is struggling.

“We have got to progress. The club is 104 years old and we don’t want to lose it. We have also never been relegated in Liversedge’s history.”

Liversedge currently lie bottom of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, six points off safety, but with four games in hand on second-bottom Armthorpe and seven in hand on third-bottom Brigg Town.

Mr Oakes added: “There is going to come a time when the league will insist on us playing away from home and even fining us.

“Some of our neighbours have offered the use of their ground but they would want paying for it, which compounds everything.

“Three or four days of dry weather may give the water chance to drain away but the forecast is not looking very good.”

Liversedge committee man, and former player, Dan Cooper, is attempting to highlight the club’s plight via social media and has even contemplated setting up a Just Giving page to help raise much needed funds.

Cooper added: “We are not looking to make masses of money, we just want to turn over enough to run the facility and try to attract more people to come and play.

“When you play away, there are travel expenses, kit washing and others expenses, which we usually fund from surplus revenue at our home games. Liversedge is not a massive commercial club, we just want to make a buck to cover our costs and try and improve our facilities.

“Sponsors are not going to come forward if you are not playing games, you are not in the press and there are no matchday programmes.”

Liversedge fought back from two goals down to earn a much needed point away to relegation rivals Parkgate last Saturday.

It was only the second time Liversedge had played since December 5 and it took time for them to settle after manager Jonathan Rimmington introduced several new signings.

Jordan Turner put Parkgate ahead with an 11th minute goal and things got worse when he converted a penalty soon after.

Sedge showed their battling qualities after the break and Vaughan Redford reduced the arrears with his sixth goal of the season before Tom Jackson rescued a point 10 minutes from time.