by Alan Quick

AN urgent appeal has been issued to raise £60,000 to save North Tawton Football Club.

The club has until December of this year to raise the money to buy the football field ground it has used for many years.

It has been put up for sale by the Arthur Bale estate, Mr Bale until he passed away having been a long-time supporter of the club.

North Tawton Football Club is now desperately trying to fundraise, obtain grants and seek donations from the public.

Jane Simons, club secretary, has issued an appeal on behalf of the club.

She said: “As some of you are probably aware, the football field is going to be for sale and we need to try and raise the funds to enable us to buy it for the future of the club.

“At the moment we have a number of youth teams, Under Seven’s, Under Nine’s, Under 10’s, Under 12’s and Under 14’s, the main team which plays in Devon and Exeter League Division Four and a Veterans team which plays in Division One.

“This involves more than 120 players and the ground is a hive of activity for training every Saturday morning and for matches.

“We have been given the price of £60,000 to raise until December 2017.

“One of the problems we have come across is that there are many grants available but you can’t apply for them unless you own your own pitch.

“We have had one meeting with North Tawton Town Council and will be having another one in the next few weeks to see what is available there from the Wain Homes housing development money that was there for sport and recreational purposes.

“We will also look at the Durant Trust and possibly Den Brook, and we are also looking at a Crowdfunding page.

“If anyone knows of anywhere else we can contact for grants or any companies we can ask for sponsorship or if anyone would like to make a donation, then please contact me on 01837 89160.”

Jane also asks if there are players, ex-players, parents, grandparents or anyone else who can help in any way, then to please let her know.

If you can help, you can write to Jane Simons, North Tawton FC secretary, Church Cottage, 5 Exeter Street, North Tawton EX20 2HB. Alternatively, email: [email protected] .