A STRUGGLING soccer team will feature in a television documentary on the plight of non-league football clubs.

A Panorama camera crew is planning to turn out at Darwen FC's Anchor Ground for the next home clash on Saturday.

Panorama is planning a documentary based around the financial straits faced by lower league clubs following the soaring popularity of the Premier League.

Experts claim the rise in interest in the top flight has hit gates badly and affected sponsorship deals.

The highbrow programme was due to film at Darwen's home game against Rossendale but plans were cancelled at the last minute.

The crew plans to return for the North West County match against Vauxhall.

Kath Marah, chairman of Darwen FC, said: "Like most of the clubs in the lower leagues and non-league football we have suffered while the Premier League has gone from strength to strength.

"These days there is not much money filtering from the higher leagues and it is harder to get sponsors."

She added: "To some extent the gates have also suffered, because there is so much football on TV. People are less likely to come out to watch a game.

"The league are very good with us and make sure we don't play at home at the same time as Rovers as we really would be struggling to get any crowd at all."

The documentary is due to be shown early in December.

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