COMMUNITY support is being harnessed to make sure Ledbury Town Football Club can play on this season, and into the future.

The Club announced its closure last week, because of debt problems.

But football is still being played at the ground, with the permission of the landowner, Property Solutions (Ledbury) Ltd; and now the search is on for a main sponsor to add financial backing.

A small group of club supporters is asking for sponsorship to help keep LTFC's two sides, the Colts and the Reserves, in action.

Group spokesman, Colts manager Richard Thick, said: "Due to generosity of community the Colts' match day fees are now covered; sadly we still need to seek a main sponsor to help us cover rates until end of season."

He added: "The crowd on Saturday was actually overwhelming, - the support they generated for those young lads."

Mr Thick said, "The previous board are no longer anything to do with the playing side".

Sponsorship has started to flow in, with donations from local businesses, including Car Air Ltd and Rs Maintenance Ltd, as well as several local individuals.

The referee for last Saturday's Colts match, Nick Fish, waived his fee.

Mr Thick said of the community support: "You realise you can't lie back and let this club die. It just can't happen and I believe the folks of Ledbury with their unique community spirit also believe that. It's time to stand up and be counted."

Other supporters are asking for still more to be done in the community.

Terry Wilkins said: "Is it possible to 'collection bucket' every single shop and business in Ledbury? - even all the pubs?

"I really can't imagine a negative response."

Mr Wilkins also asked whether Ledbury Town Council might get involved.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes said: "I will do all I can to make sure Ledbury Town Football Club continues."

He suggested, "they could apply for a grant from us." But the group supporting the players would need to supply bank details and a constitution, in Cllr Barnes' view.

Cllr Barnes repeated his belief that the football ground is protected from developers through the Unitary Development Plan, the county's planning regulations.

Jim Lambert, chief executive of Herefordshire Football Association said of the complicated situation: "The club house might have closed, but if the players are playing, the teams can't be closed down. There is a difference between the club and the teams.

"The football teams might have to work out how they are going to fund next season, and where they are going to play. As far as playing football is concerned, they can carry on. There's no problem with them carrying on. They could play at New Street, or they could play elsewhere."

Mr Roy Green, of the landowners Property Solutions (Ledbury) Ltd said the landowners had "bent over backwards to help football to continue" at the ground.