NORTH Leigh chairman Pete King has made an impassioned plea for more local support after the club survived one of their toughest campaigns.

The Millers have endured an arduous 12 months which have seen attendances dwindle, budgets cut, and a season-long battle to avoid dropping out of the Evo-Stik South League West Division.

They also had to repel unfounded rumours of an imminent resignation from the league, something King believes has affected attendances still further at Eynsham Park.

But having secured their status for next season, King wants to look to a positive future.

“It’s been a really tough year,” he said.

“We had a reasonable side at the start of the season, but many players left, and it left us struggling.

“We have had to regroup. Our manager, John Brough, brought in many reserve players, local lads, who have been a real credit to the club and have helped secure our survival.”

With North Leigh the biggest club in west Oxfordshire following the demise of Witney Town and Carterton from the upper echelons of the Hellenic League, King is appealing for the people of the area to get behind the Millers.

“We have really struggled with local support,” he commented.

“We just don’t seem to get anyone through the turnstiles.

“I think due to the totally unfounded rumours about us resigning, which is emphatically untrue, I feel that has affect us even more.

“That damaged us.

“They have never been true, and they started from outside the county.

“We are very proud to be in the Southern League. We want to maintain that and hopefully progress.

“It has always been my ambition to go at least one step higher, and hopefully with a new manager and a new outlook next season, we can look forward to a bright future.”

But attendances remain stubbornly low, even during last season’s excellent cup exploits.

“We had a record run in both the FA Cup and Trophy, but we still can’t get the crowds,” King said.

“There is now no senior team in Witney, we’re just a mile or so from the town and we’ve punched above our weight for many years.

“I can’t understand why we can’t attract more supporters to come and watch us.”

Arguably the most successful club in west Oxfordshire in the last decade, North Leigh’s attendances have rarely reached three figures this season, but King hopes the introduction of more local young players into the first team will buck that trend.

“We have a wonderful facility here,” he said.

“When you look back to our Hellenic League days, we were regularly getting 120 to 150.

“We are a family-orientated club. We try and provide for everybody. You can relax and enjoy the atmosphere here.

“I accept it’s not been a good season, but if we can get some more support, recruit more local players, I really hope we can generate some more interest.

“We have had ten wonderful years. We’ve hardly been outside the top eight in the last ten years.

“It is a case of rebuilding. We’ve never fought a relegation battle, and hopefully it never happens again.

“I am appealing to the people of Witney and surround areas to come out and support us.

“You may be pleasantly surprised at what we have to offer.”