But secretary Chris Dearns is warning that things could get worse, if attendances don't improve.

He spoke out this week to encourage local football fans to turn out at Phoenix Park on match days.

"We currently stand fourth in the (Northern Counties East) Premier League's attendance stats but we need to do better to survive," he said.

"Dinnington Town have seen a steady increase in the attendances since our Central Midlands days, when we were getting 10 to 15 turning out for a game."

"Most of these people were parents of the players, we even counted stray dogs in those days."

Before Town's rise through Northern Counties leagues, players paid for the privilege to turn out for the club.

These days there are no fees to play for Dinnington, but the playing staff still do their bit to help the club's financial situation.

Chris said:"The players don't pay subs now, but they have a go on the club lottery to generate some money, and that is necessary at this level."

And he challenged those who prefer higher league football to give the action at Phoenix Park a try.

"It has been difficult for the club to encourage locals to come along when we have teams like Sheffield United, Wednesday, Rotherham and Barnsley on the doorstep."

"Is it better football? I think not. "

"At Dinnington you can see more enthusiasm from the players, who really do love the club, not like the over-paid prima donnas of the Premier League, who kiss the badge of their shirt as they walk off the pitch to collect their many thousands of pounds, with another pampered week of so called football to look forward to."

The secretary believes that the standard of football supplied by manager Steve Toyne and his men is well worth the admission fee at Dinnington.

"For entertainment, give me an NCEL game any day, and at £4 for adults and £2 for children and OAPs, it's cheap as chips."

He sent a challenge to casual supporters and those who haven't seen Town in action, to get behind the team in their difficult financial situation, saying: "The press have done us proud over the years to get the message across, so come on Dinnington supporters get down to Phoenix Park, get behind your team, encourage the players, pass the word to your friends and family that we are here, a lot of people don't know what they are missing."

TOWN went out of the NCE League Cup on Tuesday night, losing 2-1 at the hands of Hemsworth Miners Welfare, the same side and the same scoreline they lost to seven days before in the Sheffield Senior Cup.

A Louis Axcell penalty on 22 minutes was all Toyne's team had to show for their 90 minutes work.

The loss followed hot on the heels of another defeat, on Saturday, when Town hosted Mickleover Sports.

Gavin Allot was the goalscorer for Dinnington in the 2-1 loss.
Tomorrow, Dinnington travel to Liversedge, before preparing for the local derby with Maltby Main on 22nd November.