FOWEY Cricket Club have appealed for the help of more local people in their battle to survive.

The club has already withdrawn from Division Two East of the Cornwall Cricket League for the 2012 season amid genuine concerns that there won't be enough players to carry on as a club.

Secretary Ed Leverton, a former player, said: "This is really an appeal to local people to demonstrate their support for a sports club that provides local opportunities to adults and youngsters alike.

"This is not an appeal for money but an appeal to locals to get behind us."

Re-formed 38 years ago, Fowey were the first club in the country to build a cricket pavilion on land owned by the Local Education Authority.

They were also one of the first in Cornwall to achieve the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) Clubmark Accreditation.

However, the last few years have seen a decline with the club ceasing to run a junior section due to lack of volunteer support.

A marked decline in playing numbers saw the demise of the club's second team in 2010.

Although the club first team played in Division Two East of the Cornwall Cricket League this was only possible with players from outside of the local community.

Mr Leverton said: "These are dark days for Fowey Cricket Club.

"For more than 30 years the club grew in strength from only 12 local members to having almost 30 adult members and over 25 juniors."

A small nucleus of the club remains and includes former county opening bowler Phil Johns.

The next few weeks are critical as the club needs to understand to what extent the local community would support the organisation and development of a local cricket club.

Without local support the club will have to close its doors for the first time since 1973.

Having an active partnership with the Fowey Community College is fundamental to any regeneration of the club. Both the Cornwall Cricket League and the Cornwall Cricket Board have indicated that they would support any rescue plan.

The club will be looking to find support for a public meeting in the new year but both Phil Johns and Ed Leverton would be keen to hear from supportive individuals and organisations within the cricket and local community.

Anyone interested in helping the club should contact Edward Leverton (01752 774188), EdwardLeverton@msn.com or Philip Johns (01726 824194).