Youth football team loses funding

A community football team set up for disadvantaged children may not last one season after its funding was pulled.

The Barton and Tredworth club in Gloucester was being sponsored by a local supermarket, but it withdrew support when its profits fell.

Team coach Karl Williams said the project only started in the summer, but without funding it could fold.

The club was set up by members of the local community to keep youngsters off the streets.

The team is made up of 14 to 18 years olds, many from ethnic minorities.

Costs include £350 for changing rooms and a pitch for a season, £20 a week for a match official and further expenses for minibuses, kit and evening training facilities.

We're desperate for local sponsorship, but we're finding it difficult to come across because of the current financial instability Karl Williams, team coach

"We're very new, we only set up in the summer," said Mr Williams.

"But we could find we may not last the season, the problem being that a lot of these children are from disadvantaged families, they don't have a lot of money, they can't cover the cost of the running.

"Without outside assistance, the team would end up folding."

He said the team had fallen victim to the economic downturn.

"[The supermarket] pulled out because they're not getting the sales anymore," he said.

"We had a restaurant (owner) who was prepared to sponsor us, but he is barely able to pay his wages because people aren't eating out.

"We're desperate for local sponsorship but we're finding it difficult to come across because of the current financial instability."

The club's plight is being featured in a BBC Panorama programme, Britain in the Red at 2200 BST on 16 October.