WEARSIDE LEAGUE side Horden Colliery Welfare say they had no option but to fold after being forced out of their Welfare Park home.
The County Durham club have played at Welfare Park since they were formed in 1908 and currently play at Step 7 of the Non-League Pyramid.
They were fifth in the league before Wednesday’s statement that they would be folding after it was revealed the club’s committee lost a court case against Horden Parish Council, who own the ground, last month.
Their last fixture was played on February 20 against Jarrow and attracted a bumper crowd of 200 as locals gave their support.
An online petition calling for the council to allow Horden to continue playing at Welfare Park received 1,700 signatures but no resolution was found.
That left the club homeless and with them not able to find another suitable venue to host games, they have had to call it a day.
A club statement read: “Horden CW football club, with 108 years of history, have had to sadly fold due to Horden Parish Council having to follow the Judges decision at Newcastle Crown Court on the 29th of January.
“Despite the football club forming a new committee and requesting to Horden Parish Council to play the remaining six home games at Welfare Park, our request has been declined by Horden Parish Council.
“It was the last option we wanted to take but without a home ground it was not commercially viable to play elsewhere. We would like to pass on our thanks to the Horden residents and the 1700 online signatures who supported us in our attempts to remain at Welfare Park.”
In February, a statement from the council said: “Horden Parish Council has successfully obtained an order for possession of the football ground at Horden Welfare Park, following a five-day trial before his Honour Judge Kaye QC at the Moot Hall Court in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
“The order was granted on January 29, 2016 against representatives of Horden Colliery Welfare Association Football Club.
“Horden Parish Council have also been awarded legal costs of £82,500.”
Despite Horden CW’s demise, the council claim that football will continue at Welfare Park, with a statement adding: “The trustee confirms that it is determined to support and safeguard the playing of football in Horden. It has been approached by several local football teams who are keen to use the extensive ground and facilities.
“Long-term plans for the future use of the football pitch will be decided by the trustee, Horden Parish Council, once all expressions of interest have been duly considered.”
