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Percy Main Amateurs FC face possible imminent closure - please read.

Percy Main Amateurs FC face possible imminent closure - please read.

Norman de Bruin11 Feb 2017 - 14:50
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Percy Main Amateurs Football Club was formed in the late 1800's (it's not clear exactly when, due to an unavailability of accurate historical records) and reformed in 1919 to play in the Northern Amateur league after a break during the hostilities of the Great War, but now face possible closure at the end of the current season due to a lack of willing helpers behind the scenes. It seems a common problem which has beset grass roots football in times of late as attention focuses on the professional game and its attractions, other recreational habits and the changing times of the working week.

The Main currently hold down a mid table berth in the Northern Alliance Premier Division, following promotion as champions from the league's middle tier at the end of the 2014-15 campaign. They have been in continuous membership of the league since 1965 and have played more games in the competition than any of its other current member clubs, while the championship of the league's top division was last brought back to Purvis Park at the end of the 1981-82 season, which had repeated their success some 12 months earlier. The 81-82 season also saw Percy Main compete in the FA cup, where they went out at the hands of the higher ranked Lancaster City, with current treasurer Bob Rodgerson in the side.

The club had its best run in the FA Vase, reaching the 5th round of the national competition the following season, when they accounted for Darlington RA. Boldon, Heaton Stannington, Tadcaster Albion, Seaham Red Star, Peterlee and Easington CW on the way before they finally succumbed to the then in form County Durham side, Brandon United. Success was also achieved in the county cup and the Northumberland Senior Bowl was won by Percy Main in 1978, 2004 and 2011 as they saw off West Allotment Celtic, Spittal Rovers and Seaton Delaval Amateurs respectively.

This season, the club's small band of dedicated helpers and committee members have seen their numbers and commitment to the cause decimated by work commitments, which has posed problems with the running of the club, while the long mooted and urgent upgrade of the facilities has come to a stand still. To this effect, unless further assistance is forthcoming, Percy Main AFC will have little option but to resign from the league and disband once the current season has been completed.

The club will host an open meeting within the clubhouse at its Purvis Park ground on Sunday February 26th at 6pm and ask that anybody who would be interested in offering match day assistance, fundraising or the pursuit of funds or grants to refurbish or rebuild the pavilion attend.

For further details or if anybody is interested but cannot make the meeting, please make contact with the club secretary Norman de Bruin on 07960 189667 or e mail NormandeBruin@aol.com.

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To that end, Percy Main AFC will carry on as normal until at least the end of the current season, the club will fulfil its commitments and all remaining fixtures will be completed as per the league schedule.

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