LEIGH RMI have appealed for new backers to join them to help safeguard the club's future.

Club chairman Alan Leach, said: "We're about to start our fourth year in the Nationwide Conference and we've a 12,000-seat shared new stadium in the pipeline.

"However, we need fresh blood at all levels in the club to ensure that it can continue to survive at this level."

The club is looking for people with business experience, energy and enthusiasm to join the board of directors, volunteers to help behind the scenes and a larger supporter base to boost the gates and to generate more income.

"This season we had the smallest gates in the Conference. If we are going to survive, let alone be successful in this league, we need a cash injection, backers to sponsor us or more fans to come and support us. I'm appealing to people with ideas, time or resources to come and help us turn the club round."

Although Leigh RMI only ensured its Conference place on the last day of the season, the club won the Lancashire FA Trophy and has a thriving junior set-up.

"We've got the core of a successful team," says manager Mark Patterson. "All I want now is the chance to build on this and we could be challenging for the play-offs and a place in Division Three next season."

Mr Leach adds: "We've given Leigh a football team and brought football league teams to Hilton Park that no-one would have dreamed possible 10 years ago. But now it's crunch time. We can't thrive in the Nationwide Conference on a shoestring. Either we get new backers, sponsors and supporters to build a solid future or we sink progressively into the obscurity of the amateur leagues. The choice is as simple as that."

Anyone interested in playing a major part in the development of Leigh RMI can contact Alan Leach on 07768 881161.

Anyone interested in offering their support as volunteers should contact the Leigh RMI Supporters, Club Chairman Peter Lowe on 07900 264137.