CHIPPENHAM Town's 2-0 win over Bashley last weekend could be the last meeting between the two sides with the Hampshire outfit on the brink of folding.

Bashley chairman Mike Cranidge has called a meeting for members to vote on the club’s closure next month (March 13) “unless adequate funding is forthcoming and executive vacancies filled”.

Cranidge, a supporter who took the reins over the summer, estimated the club’s shortfall to be between £40,000 and £60,000 by the end of the current campaign and, despite an appeal earlier this month, no further cash has been forthcoming for the 67-year-old New Forest club who, despite their problems, are debt-free.

The deadline to resign from the Southern League without penalty is on March 31, after which the club would also lose out of FA Cup and FA Trophy entries, although they could still be saved up to April 30.

Cranidge told the Bournemouth Echo: “Most of our members are pensioners without the means to help out so we really are depending on the life vice-presidents who helped to build up the club to come forward to save the day.

“It is the final rallying call and I cannot believe those people will let it go in this way. I’m not confident but still optimistic.”

Should members vote against the proposal, Cranidge said he would be forced to resign immediately.

“Even if somebody came in with £10,000 it wouldn’t help. We need someone to step forward and support the club long-term,'' he added.

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