AN appeal is being issued for public support as a three-year plan gets off the ground to bring Runcorn's senior football club home.

Despite their financial problems, Runcorn FC Halton believe they still have a future - one which lies in Runcorn.

New investment is seen as key to survival after chairman Dr Dave Robertson admitted he has no new funds to make available.

But club representatives moved to allay fears that any fresh finance coming into the club will simply be used to pay off debts to directors.

Instead, an agreement has been reached which means any new cash coming into the coffers can improve the club's position straight away.

At a crisis meeting last week, Dr Robertson agreed to the money he is owed by the club being 'frozen'.

An official club statement said: 'Dr Robertson concedes there could be a perception that any potential investor in the club might feel that their contributions are simply to pay back those directors that have put money into the club and that this can act as a deterrent to new people coming in.

'As part of the three-year plan, the chairman is treating the monies he has personally put into the club as an interest-free loan, to be reviewed after three years.

'It means investment can immediately benefit the club and only at some point in the future, when the club is in a sufficiently-strong financial position, could it make any repayments against those loans.'

The club says survival is dependent on it being self-sustaining and not relying on one or more benefactors to bank-roll it.

But this is extremely difficult when not having a base or ground in their home town.

'Consequently,' the statement adds, 'the future has to include a return to Runcorn with Pavilions being the preferred location.

'Bringing the facilities up to the standards required for one of the top 32 non-league clubs in the country will have to become one of the highest priorities.'

'With the club working to move back to Runcorn, it hopes that the local people can get behind their senior team and support their financial initiatives to set it on its way to self-sustainability.

'The first initiative within this three-year plan is to sign up as many people as possible to the I-Syndicate lottery syndicate which provides real benefits to members who enjoy a 702% increased chance of winning a lottery payout as well as providing funding.'

Subscribers pay £5 a week by standing order for which they receive 88 potential winning lines over the Wednesday and Saturday lotteries - with £1.75 of this going directly to the club.

'If any companies or individuals are in a position to help by sponsoring the team coach or providing team or player sponsorship, then the club would be more than happy to hear from them.'

To contact the club, telephone 07891030765.