Skem stand on the brink
SKELMERSDALE United announced a revised figure needed for survival after their supporters meeting this week.
Skem’s fixture with Kendal Town was postponed last weekend due to the arctic weather conditions, leaving the club facing three fixtures in the coming week.
They travel to Trafford on Saturday before having to make the long trip to Kendal on Tuesday evening in the rearranged fixture.
They will then face Colne at home with Dave Powell’s men desperate to end their dismal spell of results.
United have not won since November and find themselves just three points outside the Evo-Stik North relegation zone.
On top of their survival fears, however, the threat of extinction now looms.
In a statement released by the club, Skelmersdale admitted funds which were supposed to arrive from backers have not been obtained after worries over the club’s future continue to linger.
They figure for survival is now set at £12,000, with funds raised so far being used to rent the temporary Prescot Cables home where the club currently compete – they were locked out of their home ground midway through this season – and renting coach travel for several recent away games.
The statement confirms funding for next season is already in place but cannot be accessed until Skelmersdale make their return to the town in terms of where they play their football.
“It’s a case of Catch-22,” said Simon Driscoll, the club’s media officer, via the announcement. “The club has the future sorted but unless something is done in the next two months there will be no club to have a future.”
The supporters meeting held last week was attended by chairman Paul Griffiths, who revealed the club are in “advanced negotiations” to make their return to Skem, with the hope of making the move in January 2019.
It remains to be seen, however, if the club will still be in business by this date. With Griffiths and other club officials refusing to “self-demote” in a bid to ease their financial concerns, Skelmersdale need a big month on and off the field.
The club have arranged a crowdfunding page online which you can donate to by searching for Skelmersdale United on the JustGiving website.