ATHERTON LR have been suspended by the North West Counties Football League.

The league issued a statement on their website on Monday saying they have suspended the club from all footballing activity due to ongoing non-payment of debts owing to the league.

Atherton LR chairperson Jane Wilcock, however, says the league will be paid the money which is owed on Tuesday and is confident the suspension will be lifted without the club missing a game.

The Crilly Park side are struggling on the field this season, currently bottom of the First Division North with two wins and 18 defeats in 24 league matches.

On Saturday they are due to be at home to Lower Breck, a match which is shown as having been postponed on the league website fixture list.

The league statement issued on New Year’s Eve reads: “The North West Counties Football League has today suspended Atherton LR Football Club from all footballing activity due to ongoing non-payment of debts owing to the league.

“The league directors met with officials from Atherton LR earlier in the season following the non-payment of bills and agreed a repayment plan, which the club immediately defaulted on.

“As a result of further non-payments, the board of directors has warned the club under league rule 2.18 that it may be excluded from the competition at the end of the playing season due to the management and finances falling below the standards appropriate to membership of the competition.

“The club has been charged under league rule 11 and its fixtures are suspended with immediate effect until the outstanding amount owed for the season is paid in full.

“The board of directors will be making no further comment on this matter.”

Atherton LR chairperson Jane Wilcock accepts the suspension looks bad on the club but is confident it will be lifted before the next game.

She told The Bolton News on New Year’s Day: “We won’t be suspended. They’ll get the money tomorrow when the banks open.

“People are making more of it than it is. They wanted some money we owed and I just didn’t have the money when it was due.

“I asked the league if they would wait a few days but they wouldn’t.

“It’s not just that money now, they want the money for the rest of the season as well.

“I know it doesn’t sound good being suspended but it won’t come to that. The money will get paid tomorrow and I’m sure we’ll play our game on Saturday.”