IT was the village tennis club that attracted the world’s biggest stars.

But Thongsbridge Tennis Club has revealed cash-flow problems.

The Miry Lane club, which enjoyed an appearance by former world women’s No1 Martina Hingis, has been struggling with an ‘immediate cash-flow problem’ and ‘medium term’ money troubles.

But the club, which includes a fitness suite, says it is not in danger of folding.

In a letter to members, the club says it has borrowed £15,000 from the Yorkshire Lawn Tennis Association and £8,000 from two members to tide it over for the next few weeks.

The letter, from club chairman Mike Adams, says the donations and loan will “tide us over for the next few weeks” but it goes on to encourage members to pay their subscriptions and coaching fees earlier.

It announces cuts to the club’s catering services and fitness classes – eight of which have been losing money – as well as utility and maintenance costs.

And the club’s subsidy of junior coaching will be reduced, but adult subscription fees would not increase, Mr Adams said.

The club, which was Lawn Tennis Association Club of the Year 2004, is seeking sponsorship from a ‘large local organisation’ in a bid to beat its cash-flow problems.

Mr Adams said: “We have both an immediate cash-flow problem and a medium term need to cut costs and increase revenue.

“We are very conscious of the impact these changes have on our members and we would prefer not to have to make some of them, but we have to secure the club’s future.”

Former chairman of the board Peter Swithenbank has been elected temporarily to the board to help ‘stabilise the club’s financial position’.

Club director Oliver Constance added: “The club has run a marginal business for the past three years, due in part to the community-focused nature of our business.

“Unfortunately in the 2009/10 financial year, spending patterns at the club were negatively affected by the recession as members and parents were spending less at the club.

“We therefore decided to take positive steps to alter our cost structure in order to prevent serious loss in future years.

“To summarise our situation, we did identify the problems described above and have acted quickly to rectify them. We have since progressed to try and go even further to improve our situation.

“The club’s financial security is not in danger and we look forward to a positive year of good business.”

A £1.38m facility at the club was opened officially in February, 2005, with exhibition games from Martina Hingis and legendary Romanian showman Ilie Nastase.

Former Davis Cup star and TV presenter Andrew Castle and other top players Peter Fleming, Amanda Janes and Anne Keothavong were flown in by helicopter on the day.

In September, 2006, the club attracted former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and world trick shot ace Mansour Bahrami for an invitation match.