Football support club facing closure 'devastated'

Directors Paul Davies and Paul Hardman said they had made the decision "with deep sadness"

A football club, which supports more than 300 people with their mental health and wellbeing, could close next year due to a lack of funds.

Creative Football has been based in Blackburn for the past 16 years running inclusive football sessions that promote recovery, wellbeing and social inclusion.

But organisers say the not-for-profit organisation, based at Witton Park, faces closure unless urgent funding can be found.

In a statement directors Paul Davies and Paul Hardman said they had made the decision "with deep sadness" but "it has simply become impossible to sustain the project as a viable concern".

The directors described competition for funding as "fierce".

They said they are "deeply frustrated by the dwindling investment in grassroots projects", and the time had come "where we must consider our own personal circumstances and families".

The club, whose team members have been both service users and mental health practitioners, is due to close at the end of January.

But the club has said it will continue to support players until that point.

The directors said they wanted to "celebrate many years of amazing support and lasting friendships" despite how "devastating" the closure will be.