Community leaders are calling on people to rally round and show support for a Non-League club, who are facing 'critical' financial difficulties.

With Bostik League Premier Division side Lowestoft Town FC currently finding themselves in a situation that has now become 'near critical,' according to directors, football followers, businesses and the community has been urged to back the Trawlerboys.

Citing a big drop in attendance figures, fixtures being called off in bad weather, an 'extremely high wage structure' and the club attempting to manage 'large outstanding supplier invoices,' it has meant that Lowestoft's players and coaching staff have not been paid 'because of the massive cash flow problems.'

Now Lowestoft's official supporters club, Waveney MP Peter Aldous, mayor of Lowestoft Ian Graham and club sponsor Lord Russell Baker have issued rallying calls to the community to turn out and support the Blues.

Mr Aldous said: 'Hopefully this is a just a cash flow challenge in the short term. I think it's important that we all work together in the community to rally round the club and we help them through this difficult time.

'Hopefully then a sustainable long term solution can be found off the pitch so the club can build on what it does best on the pitch. It is an opportunity for the people of Lowestoft to get behind them, support them and help the club get through this short term position.'

The club confirmed this evening that Alan Green has stepped down from his role as Chairman of the club.

In a statement he said: 'It is with great sadness that I am today stepping down as Chairman of Lowestoft Town Football Club with immediate affect.

'I was honoured when I was nominated for the post and truly felt that I could assist in taking the club forward.

'However, circumstances have proven very difficult and this has had a huge detrimental effect on my health and well-being and in hindsight to take on such a monumental task at my time of life was perhaps not one of my better decisions.

'I know I had and still have the support of the board and many of the fans but I have come to this decision for two reasons. Firstly, I haven't got the energy due to my health to continue to push forward in this important role and secondly, this would make way for perhaps a more dynamic person who could invest in the club and carry it to where it deserves to be.'

The club will continue to be run by its existing dedicated Directors and will make a further statement in the next few days on this matter.

Over the summer Amber Dew Events – who organise and promote sporting related events throughout East Anglia – took over the naming rights at Lowestoft's home ground.

Founder of Amber Dew Events, and club sponsor, Lord Russell Baker, said: 'My company took over the sponsorship and we put some investment in at the beginning of the season. Just lately we put more money in to the club – advanced sponsorship money for next season – to help them at a huge risk for me but hopefully that goes some way to helping the situation out.

'The weather and home games being called off has not helped – so now fans need to come out, go through the turnstiles, support the club and get Lowestoft out of trouble.'

Mayor of Lowestoft Ian Graham added: 'We fully support the club and we would encourage everybody to get behind them to ensure the club goes from strength to strength.'

Lowestoft are now fourth from bottom in the league, and with four home games this month they are at home to Hendon on Tuesday.

Supporters club plea

Lowestoft Town FC's supporters club has issued a rallying call to back the Blues.

It comes after Lowestoft's directors issued a statement on Sunday admitting players and coaching staff have not been paid and that the club is 'quickly running out of money.'

And now the Trawlerboys – Lowestoft Town's official supporters club – has called on people in the community to turn out and show your support.

With four home matches this month - starting tonight, March 6, at the Amber Dew Events Stadium (Crown Meadow), as Lowestoft host Hendon in a Bostik Premier encounter – James Wright, membership secretary of The Trawlerboys, said: 'Our message is to get down to the ground, support Lowestoft Town FC and come and see us.

'If more fans turn out hopefully it will help the club weather the storm. There is always a decent friendly atmosphere at every home game and it is more than just a football match. Its a good all round family friendly experience with plenty of places to eat and drink – so come down and get behind the local team.'