Barnard Castle Town Council agrees to write off debt owed by defunct football team

A FOOTBALL team which folded at the end of last season did so owing £100 in rent to Barnard Castle Town Council.

Golden Lion Rangers FC, formerly Sunday morning side Glaxo Rangers FC, played for two seasons in the Darlington Sunday Morning League, hiring the pitch at Tensfield for home matches from the town council.

Members of the council’s resources committee were told the club had given notice on its lease in June and folded due to financial difficulties and a lack of players.

Clerk Michael King said: “Despite several reminders, Golden Lion Rangers FC has not paid rental for 2016/17.

“To take the matter further, the town council would have to instigate action through the small claims court, which costs £25 to make a claim online. Further fees could apply if there is a court hearing or a judgement needs to be enforced.”

Under the circumstances, councillors agreed that this would not be good practice and decided to write of the debt. Since the demise of Golden Lion Rangers FC, the newly-merged Bowes FC and Barnard Castle FC has taken on the lease at Tensfield.

The new club, which plays as Bowes FC, has teams in the Crook and District League on a Saturday and the Wear Valley Sunday Morning League.

However, due to the state of the Tensfield pitch at the start of the new season, the club has been playing home games at Shaw Bank. Cllr Frank Harrison said: “Bowes are a well respected club in the town. I know quite a few of the lads. They are a well run club.

“They are talking about doing up the changing rooms and getting everything back in order at Tensfield.”

Cllr Harrison said the question of keeping dogs off the pitch had been raised with him. “People walking their dogs are not picking up after them,” he said.

He suggested a sign could be put up and the fence repaired.