A FOOTBALL club on the brink of closure will play on but on a different day.

Earlier this month, Wearhead United Football Club issued an urgent appeal for new players after finding it increasingly difficult to field a team. The committee feared the problem would only get worse and were considering disbanding the club, which was set up in 1907.

However, following a meeting on Sunday, the committee agreed there was still a future for the club but only if they switched from the Crook and District League, which plays on a Saturday, to the Wear Valley Sunday League.

Treasurer Cliff Dalton said: “As one of the founder members of the Crook and District League this was not an easy decision and we would like thanks both the league committee and the teams who play in the league.

“The officers of the league put in an enormous amount of time and effort to keep the league functioning and it being the only Saturday football league operating at this level in County Durham deserves support from all quarters.

“The club decided to change to Sunday morning football as this gives us a larger pool of players to sign and play for the club so we can keep the club going. This was our main concern after more than 110 years and we believe this is the best solution for us.”

Weardale county councillor John Shuttleworth welcomed the news, adding: “This move will maintain a football team in Upper Weardale, which is good for sport and the local community.”

Mr Dalton thanked everyone who responded to the appeal and said the committee would be back in touch with people within the next few weeks.