Wakefield FC, the original Emley, are on the verge of folding.

And AFC Emley, formed in 2005 after the controversial relocation five years earlier, say they have been left with a “financial challenge” ahead of the new Northern Counties East League season.

The two clubs were due to share the Welfare Ground in Emley, with Wakefield, who had mooted their desire for a possible merger, competing in the NCEL top flight after dropping out of the Northern Premier League, and AFC Emley in Division I.

The rent paid by Wakefield would have been a key revenue stream for Emley, who have suffered a drop in income from sponsorship.

Emley insist they are confident of keeping football in the village “for the foreseeable future” but have asked supporters and local residents to become club members or make a donation to assist with short-term funding while other sources of income are explored.

Wakefield, who have played at the city’s rugby league stadium, College Grove, former home of the now defunct rugby union club, and groundshared with Ossett Town since leaving Emley amid claims the Welfare Ground would no longer meet the guidelines laid down by the NPL, have been in decline for a number of years.

They have failed to capture the imagination of Wakefield sports fans and with crowds dwindling, had gone all amateur.

In April it was announced they would resign from the Northern Premier League at the end of the season, although in the event, they would have been relegated in any case after finishing bottom of the NPL Division I North.

As former Huddersfield District League club Emley, founded in 1903, they had won promotion from the NCEL to the NPL 25 years earlier, after playing at Wembley in the final of the FA Vase in 1988.

They also twice reached the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, and in 1997-98, enjoyed a memorable run to the third round of the FA Cup, losing 2-1 at Premier League West Ham in a tie which was shown on Match of the Day.

Wakefield were confirmed as NCEL members for 2014-15 earlier this month and had fixed up a string of friendlies.

Chairman Simon Turfrey spoke about the forthcoming season in an interview with the Examiner early last week.

But by the end of the week, he had left the club, and now holding company Wakefield Football Development Limited look set to be wound up.

AFC Emley said in a statement: “The club was approached by Wakefield FC to discuss a possible ground share in early April 2014.

“Wakefield had already resigned from the Northern Premier League as they could not secure a ground with a suitable grading by March 31 to continue in the competition.

“They had been afforded a week’s grace to find an alternative suitable ground to enable them to compete in the NCEL.

“At the time, it was clear AFC Emley faced a financial gap for the following season. This was due partially to the main club sponsor scaling back its investment in the club.

“It was also clear we were effectively Wakefield FC’s last hope for survival.

“With no desire to be the club to put another club out of business – even Wakefield FC, given the acrimonious departure of the original Emley AFC from the village – the committee unanimously agreed to the ground share.

“It then required substantial time and effort over the course of just a few days involving the officers of the club and Emley Moor Miners’ Recreation Ground & Institute trustees, with assistance from the NCEL, to get the agreement finalised and signed in time for the extended deadline, which we did on April 4.

“Given the time-frame involved, it was impractical to gain formal approval from club members.

“It was a marriage of convenience. Wakefield FC survived and AFC Emley would receive funds to keep the club going in its current form whilst new sponsors were sought.

“Later in April, Wakefield FC attempted to renegotiate the figure they had agreed to pay for the ground share.

“AFC Emley rejected that idea as, after taking into account extra costs etc, it would have reduced the financial benefit to virtually zero.

“Wakefield FC then asked AFC Emley to merge in time for the coming season. The AFC Emley committee immediately and unanimously rejected the suggestion.

“By now, alarm bells were ringing but over the next few weeks the club were reasonably assured that Wakefield FC would honour the original agreement.”

The statement continued: “On June 21, the NCEL and FA were informed by Wakefield FC that they would not compete next season and the club was likely to be wound up.

“AFC Emley now face a financial challenge for season 2014-15 but, with the help of our supporters, other interested parties around the area and the wider football community, we are confident there can be football at Emley for the foreseeable future. We are already working on generating additional revenue from a number of sources.

“However, to assist the club in the short term, we call upon Emley supporters old and new, to consider joining as a club member. If you place any value on having a club in Emley with the name Emley, now is the time to show it.

“To the residents of Emley village, please consider a membership or a small donation to the club. Whether you like football or not, without AFC Emley, there would be serious repercussions for The Welfare Ground and with it the very character of the village.

“And to businesses near and far, whatever your budget, think about how you could support one of the most famous village football clubs in Yorkshire, if not the country.

“We hope the above reassures everyone that the club committee, in the name of all our members, have tried to do the right thing – by AFC Emley, by the village of Emley and by the integrity of non-league football.

“It looks like the original Emley AFC is dead. Long live AFC Emley.”

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