BARNOLDSWICK Town are finding the wet weather a huge drain on their finances.

The postponement of their Boxing Day North West Counties League Premier Division derby with Silsden was their sixth of the season.

They haven't played at home since November 3 when they defeated Harrogate Railway in the West Riding County Cup.

And they aren't due another game at the Silentnight Stadium until January 9 when West Didsbury & Chorlton are their opponents.

Club chairman Ian James said: "We will battle on as usual but the situation is not a good one. Without home games we have no revenue coming in.

"We have even had to get rid of beer that has gone off because people haven't been coming into the club.

"Were selling nothing but we still have expenses like paying for training twice a week and travel to away games.

"We held a big raffle at Christmas to raise funds, but we are in need of a break in the weather. Our last three home games against Abbey Hey, Congleton and Silsden due to waterlogged pitches.

"With the ground so wet it would probably wreck it for the rest of the season if we were to play right now. We need things to dry up to allow us to get on and do the normal work."

Barnoldswick's plight wasn't helped by an inbalance in their fixtures for the past two months with just three of the ten games being home matches.

The financial pressures have also brought a sense of frustration. James added: "I saw that the FA were going to provide an extra £750,000 for grass roots football.

"We don't ever seem to see the benefit of that kind of money. It seems to stay in the higher echelons of non-league soccer and doesn't get to clubs like us or those in the Craven League who would really benefit from that sort of help."