A LAST-DITCH campaign was launched last night to save an historic non-league football club.

FA Trophy winners Burscough FC are said to lie just six weeks from closure, after its wealthy owner Chris Lloyd quit the club and froze funding.

Members of Burscough supporters’ club have pledged to try and keep the Linnets alive – but their resources will run dry by Christmas.

As fans launched the community fundraising drive to allow the club to battle on into 2010, a true picture of its off-field woes was laid bare.

Fans, who dug deep to pay players’ wages last week and help fund the players’ coach on Saturday, claimed:

A number of utility bills remain unpaid;

A Birmingham-based printer, owed £1,000 by the club, now refuses to produce the matchday programme;

A coach company is considering its options to recoup approximately £4,000;

Manager Andy Gray has not been paid for 13 weeks, but has vowed to continue, and the club’s three contracted star players could leave;

Accounts have not been presented to shareholders since May, 2007, and 12 directors have resigned since Mr Lloyd took over the club in 2003.

The supporters’ club has criticised Mr Lloyd for leaving the club “fighting for its very survival”.

Chairman Richard Aindow said: “Since the start of this season, we estimate around £30,000 has come into the club through season ticket sales, sponsorship money, FA Cup prize money and gate receipts, and yet financially the club is now in its worst-ever position.

“We understand contracts entered into have not been honoured, rates and utility bills remain unpaid, and coach companies and programme printers are owed money, which has jeopardised the future of the club.

“This situation has arisen due to the way the club was run, where over-ambitious goals were set and the club has lived beyond its means.

“This has left a once-proud football club on the brink of going out of business.”