The Cheltenham Football League, which has been going for almost 120 years, may be forced to fold.

That is the very real threat unless a new treasurer can be found to replace the outgoing Matt Neave.

“Without a treasurer the league can’t function,” warned league secretary Ian Hamilton. “We can’t work without someone managing the funding.

“If no one comes forward, the league will have to fold. And yes, I am very worried.”

Neave has been an excellent treasurer for the league, which was founded in 1900, for the past nine years but the pressure of work is forcing him to stand down.

Hamilton said they would like a new man or woman in place by the beginning of April for a handover period before taking sole charge ahead of the new season.

“The job would suit anyone who has an interest in figures and can work with figures,” said Hamilton, who added that the role, although voluntary, does come with an honorarium payment.

And in an email sent out to member clubs, Hamilton spelled out precisely what would be the requirements of the league’s new treasurer.

In it he explained that the current treasurer has automated as much as possible into spreadsheets so most work can be done electronically.

He added that there are three main accounts to manage:

The general account – all day to day operations of the league; the charity account – all charity cup transactions; and the benevolent fund – any benevolent claims from injured players

His email continued: “The main work is monthly, attending management committee meetings, then producing invoices to clubs and collecting all monies. This may include banking cheques which clubs send.

“Annually, ahead of the AGM the treasurer needs to finalise all of the accounts and produce an annual financial statement, which is audited and approved by an auditor, before being presented to the AGM.

“Also, the treasurer needs to produce annual invoices for all clubs to collect subscriptions, player registrations etc. This is done during the summer.

“All payments are managed by the treasurer; invoices for trophies, payment to officers for expenses and honorarium and any other costs needed by the league.

“The final responsibility is support at the charity cup semi-finals and finals, where a cash float is required and all cash receipts are needed to be sorted and banked into the charity cup account.”

Anyone interested in the role of treasurer should email Hamilton at ianhamiltoncaflsec@gmail.com