PREMIER Division side Newton Abbot face expulsion from the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League after pulling out of tonight's scheduled home game against Clyst Rovers.

And fears are growing the Coach Road club may be forced to withdraw their Reserves from the WBW Solicitors South Devon League for the same cash-strapped reasons, including a £26,000 rent-backlog owed to their landlords Devon County FA.

For now, the Coach Road club has been suspended by the Peninsula League having already been fined £250 and had deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture in Cornwall against Wadebridge Town the Saturday before last.

The shock developments were revealed to an unsuspecting group of players by manager and former Torquay United striker John Gayle before last night's light training session ahead of this evening's clash.

Gayle, who says he's also owed wages on a contract both as Newton Abbot manager and part of the club's Football in the Community team set up in partnership with Dawlish Town in March, told the Herald Express:

"As I see it, Newton Abbot AFC has folded as a club because of the debts involved, and not just money owed to the landlords.

"I had been preparing for a first team game tomorrow (Wednesday), but was informed by the Peninsula League yesterday morning that we are suspended.

"I did contact the league, and it seems we've been badly let down after what had been promised when I joined the club from Totnes and Dartington SC in the close season.

"I've had to explain to the players (there are 18 to 20 in the first team pool) that they'll each be fined £29 for being part of the club if it folds, but that they're free to transfer elsewhere once it's been paid."

Gayle added: "It's very disappointing that it should happen to a big club like this, and I feel so sorry for the people connected with Newton Abbot AFC.

"Some have been involved for a long time, while I also feel for the 10 players I brought with me from Totnes and Dartington.

"They came because of me after I'd been promised the opportunity to take the club forward. We've all been let down, and now I'm wishing we had people like Charlie (Stephens), Blakey (Alan Blake), Ken Phillips and Nigel Syms from Totnes and Dartington, because they'd have helped me make this a successful club.

"It's likely that I'll take myself and family back to Birmingham after all this: it's such a pity after all that I had planned for the club, the players and all the young kids coming through. In that sense, it been a pleasure to be involved."

Yesterday's statement from Peninsula League company secretary, Phil Hiscox, explained that the suspension was 'for a breach of the articles of association'.

It went on: "In particular, the club has not been able to furnish us with names of any responsible persons to hold positions of authority at the club (chairman, secretary, treasurer etc).

"In the absence of club officials, Newton Abbot AFC cannot reasonably fulfil their obligations to the league.

"The consortium who attempted a rescue package, have not been able to commit to taking over the club, but the reasons for that are not for the board to directly concern itself with. There is still time for a rescue package, but that time is fast running out.

"The league has not received any communication regarding a finalised take-over, and also confirm that we have not received a resignation or withdrawal notice either.

"In the event that these matters remain unresolved, the next meeting of the board (November 6) will have no choice but to consider a motion to expel the club from the league for repeated breaches of rule 8.6 (failure to fulfil fixtures).

"The suspension can only be lifted if the club can satisfy the board that such responsible persons are put in place and authorised to act on behalf of the club.

"Regarding matches currently scheduled, the game at home to Clyst Rovers (tonight) has been cancelled, and a decision as to the game at home to Tavistock on Saturday (October 25) will be made on Thursday (tomorrow).

"Any subsequent decision as to the game at Dartmouth on November 1 will be made the following Thursday."

Meanwhile, reserve team manager Jim Barrett felt it inappropriate to speculate on the future of his South Devon League side until issues had become clearer.

"It's still a very disappointing situation to be in, and a matter of great concern," he said. "Also, it's embarrassing, especially with so many officers having left the club.

"If we do find ourselves in a similar position to the first team, each player needs to make his own decision on whether or not to stay with the club, but for now we have a Premier Division game against Waldon on Saturday and it hasn't been cancelled as far as I know."

NEWTON ABBOT Under-15 manager Adrian Stocker confirmed last night that he was taking his squad to Abbotskerswell in view of the crisis at Coach Road.

"All my players want is to be able to play football, so we'll be playing under the name of Abbotskerswell against Watts Blake Bearne on Sunday," he said.