Willington AFC

Hi, my name is Lee McConville, and for those who don't know, I am the current chairman of Willington AFC - I took over the club several years ago when the previous chairman took ill. We've been through a lot in that time, and I've quickly learned how much of a family the Northern League is, be that officials, supporters or players.

Durham City's ground share was something I inherited and then continued with - Durham's committee was always friendly and welcoming. At the time, there was no reason not to continue the relationship.

Problems began to arise when Zenith took control of the club, invoices handed to Fred, Laurence and Carl all went 'missing', and we were accused of sloppy admin. I did eventually tell Durham if the bill wasn't settled by the end of the week, the ground wouldn't be available for use. Of course, this promoted a conversation with Carl and me where he promised to do all he could to get the debt paid if I allowed Durham to finish the season or Durham, in essence, was no more.

Of course, I relented and allowed the season to finish. Carl has since then become an absolute godsend to Willington and has taken over our secretary role. At Durham's final game me and Olivier sat outside the clubhouse where he promised he would settle the balance and mirrored the story of local media now - he left the club a while ago, and Zenith hadn't been passing the invoices along. He requested a statement which was again sent, but very little payment has been made to date.

So why are we here? Willington paid for Durham to finish their season in the form of ground maintenance, wages for manning the tea hut and bar at Durham games, the floodlights, etc. It's cleared out the money we used to begin the season and left us living week to week with the club committee personally filling any shortfall.

As you will see, we are currently sitting at the bottom of the Northern League and facing the possibility of relegation. We hope we can raise the money owed to us to help us stay where we belong in the Northern League - hence the need for this go fund me page.

The club is a proud club having been around for over 100 years - when I took over the club, I didn't just take over a ground, I took over a responsibility. The responsibility of ensuring the club continues and the history isn't lost - a role I take very seriously and strive to fulfil daily - I now ask for help from the Northern League family, the local community, players and supporters past and present.... you're club needs you !!!