A FOOTBALL scheme attended by up to 70 young people each week could end if more volunteers do not come forward.

More people are needed to help run the ROC Football sessions on Friday evenings at Radcliffe Borough FC.

Organisers from the ROC Centre, in Westminster Avenue, fear they will have to turn children away if more people do not volunteer.

And if it becomes a long-term problem, the project may have to close.

Louise Williams, project development manager, said: “At least one of the volunteers is due to go to university in September.

“It would be a great shame if we had to close because we didn’t have enough volunteers.

“It’s not practical to run it with only a few volunteers.”

ROC Football runs from 6pm to 9pm on Fridays and was set up in partnership with Radcliffe Borough FC and Radcliffe police.

About 35 people in school Years Seven to 11 take part each week, with attendance sometimes rising to 70.

It is one of several projects run by the ROC Centre which have been credited with cutting anti-social behaviour in Radcliffe by half.

Volunteers are also needed at the ROC Cafe, which runs from 6.30pm to 9pm on Thursdays at the ROC Centre.

It provides a range of activities for children, from table tennis to crafts and first-aid skills.

Mrs Williams said: “These are engaging young people in positive activities and giving them great things to be doing, so they are not hanging around on the streets. They are making a difference to their lives.

“I am not asking people to come every week. If they could commit to coming just once a month, it would help us.

“Having a large pool of volunteers would mean we could continue to run these activities.”

Mrs Williams is looking for volunteers with a range of skills, from sporty people for ROC Football, to people who can play board games with teenagers.

They must be aged 18 or over and willing to have a criminal record check.

To find out more: call Mrs Williams on 0161 723 4906 or email louisewilliams@roc.uk.com