A FOOTBALL club's renewed appeal for funds has been kicked into touch by town leaders.

Moreton Rangers had reiterated its plea to the town council for help towards its £80,000 campaign to build new changing rooms. They said the club played a huge part in the town and brought in money – but councillors turned them down.

Townspeople had pulled together to begin fundraising but were dealt a bitter blow when a blaze burnt the old building to the ground last November, saddling them with more financial trouble.

In a letter to the council, Moreton Rangers FC chairman Canon Tim Sedgley said: "The support from local residents to the appeal, as well as businesses and clubs – Art Club, Bingo, St David's School, for example – suggests that the community you represent thinks this appeal to be important to Moreton.

"Adult football in the autumn depends on the new building as the fire at the old clubhouse means we have none to fall back on.

"And now that local people and charities are behind us we have to go to wider grant making bodies and to be able to say the town council has supported the project adds weight to our case over and above the direct financial benefit."

The club had first appealed for support last October.

Mr Sedgley said he had been told the council might consider a donation in the new financial year, but then gathered this had ruled out.

So he made the latest approach, asking for the council to consider a contribution out of its contingency reserve.

At a town council meeting, members said historically they had never given grants as there were no standing orders to do so.

Clerk Heather Sipthorp said: "We can't just give public money to a building fund."

Councillor Colin Hancox said: "Right now we turn down all requests for grants. I know this one benefits the youth, but it would also set a precedent.

"Once we've given to the football club it will be the tennis club and badminton club asking next. But perhaps we could start up a different fund for giving grants and set it aside under the precept."

Chairman Rod Hooper added: "If the town council goes ahead and puts a skate park at the club and pays to knock down the clubhouse that's quite adequate support.

"We can also give them a letter saying the town council fully supports it, to show to other grant bodies, but not financial support."

After the meeting, Mrs Sipthorp said grant requests were often referred to the town's two charities Moreton Charity and the Edith Mann Trust.

The council could also give money for specific equipment, and had helped the football club with footballs and goal posts in the past.