BELEAGUERED Greenock Juniors have been dealt a fresh blow as they fight for survival.

The club’s annual sportsman’s dinner next month is on the verge of being cancelled after 30 people pulled out in favour of other events.

The date of the event – which is a big fundraiser for the club – clashes with this year’s Scottish Grand National and is on the same weekend as the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Chairman Alex Wilson said: “We need at least three more tables, 30 people to buy tickets for our sportsman’s dinner on April 22nd at the Cruden Hall to be able to run it.

“At this moment it is untenable.

“It’s the same weekend as the Scottish Grand National and the Celtic-Rangers semi final game.

“We need 10 tables of 10, 100 people to make us a wee bit of profit and if we don’t get ticket sales we will have to cancel it.”

The Tele recently revealed fears that the club may struggle to make it to the end of the season, amid a cash crisis and lack of volunteers.

It needs every penny it can get to stave off closure and the sportsman’s dinner could be a lifeline.

Mr Wilson said: “If we don’t have the dinner, it’s going to be a hammer blow.

“We usually make £1,500 which would have seen us through to the end of the season.

“It would also be disappointing for the 60/70 people who have bought tickets and who come along every year.”

A top line-up of after-dinner speakers – including former Celtic favourite Frank McAvennie former Aberdeen star John McMaster and retired referee John McKelvie – have been booked for the night.

Alex said: “They’re absolutely great nights, the tickets are £40 and for that you get top class speakers and a three-course meal.

“Frank McAvennie is good value and a very good speaker.”

Alex has made a few appeals for help in the Greenock Telegraph, and as a result, received offers of help from Morton legend Andy Ritchie and bosses at Ton, while the idea of a cash generating fund has been floated and the club recently received a council grant of £4,800.

Alex added: “I was hoping to ask Andy Ritchie to make an appearance at the dinner, as he has offered to help the club, but I can’t ask him if we don’t know if it’s going ahead or not.”

If anyone would like to book tickets for the event they should contact Alex on 07958652104 or the club’s former treasurer Neil Martin on 07958450467.