Rossendale United were formed in 1898

Rossendale United Supporters Association say they will look into the possibility of forming a new club.

The Lancashire club were expelled from the North West Counties League after failing to pay their membership fee on time.

Fans group chairman Ron Ashworth told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We have to look at the feasibility of setting up a new club.

"Then we would likely call a general public meeting and start a fresh in that."

The expulsion of 113-year-old club comes in the same year which saw the water supply to their Dark Lane ground cut off in February because of unpaid bills.

Ashworth added: "I think this is exactly what Accrington Stanley did when they went out of existence.

"It took them a long time to get back to Football League status and it may be a long job for us but you don't get anywhere unless you start."

The club were not represented at the league's annual general meeting on Saturday, 18 June, leaving the league's officials little option other than to vote them out.

It's a shame that what seemed like a mini-Football League club, fairly well supported over the years has gone out of existence Ron Ashworth

"We don't stand anywhere now. We are outside of the league structure. The club still exists, Rossendale United Company Ltd, which may or may not continue," he said.

"I suppose the limited company could be brought back to financial health and could start again but whether that model is appropriate anymore is doubtful.

"Other clubs have restarted on a more cooperative membership basis rather than a limited company basis."

Rossendale finished in the North West Counties League Premier Division relegation zone but would have been spared relegation after Formby were demoted for a breach of Football Association rules.

"It's a shame that what seemed like a mini-Football League club, fairly well supported over the years has gone out of existence but I think people have tried their best to keep it going," he said.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version