Player crisis hits football club linked to cricket 'fixing' scandal

A London football club is appealing for players to appear free after its squad was forced to quit when its owner was implicated in alleged cricket match- fixing.

Croydon Athletic's squad will be made up of volunteer players and apprentices from the club's training academy.

Croydon Athletic's president, Ken Fisher, said: "We'll try to get four or five players in a car and cover the driver's petrol but there is no money to cover anything else.

"The important thing is we are able to start playing football again and we will see where it takes us. If we finish anywhere off the bottom it will be a magnificent achievement.

He added: "The club are offering players the chance to put their ability to the test, to put themselves in the shop window."

Mr Fisher, a co-founder of Croydon Athletic who play in the Ryman League Premier Division, said: "I didn't want to see the club be abandoned - it would have been a tragedy after all the effort put in over the years."

Former owner Mazhar Majeed was arrested and remains on bail following allegations in the News of the World that he was involved in a Pakistan-based match-fixing syndicate.

Croydon's assets were frozen as Revenue and Customs officers examined its books as part of the investigation into Mr Majeed's affairs.

The club say Mr Majeed has paid a £10,000 bond to keep them afloat and fulfil their fixture commitments for the rest of the season. Mr Majeed, 35, from Croydon, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers and money laundering and remains on bail.