FOR many communities, having a thriving sports team can be a source of unifying pride.

This has undoubtedly been the case for Kendal Town, which has made a positive contribution to local sporting heritage over many years.

The club grew out of the community - its first players employees of the old K Shoes factory - and its role at the heart of Kendal continues to be reflected in its motto: Our Club, Our Community, Our Town.

In just three years the club will be celebrating a major milestone, its 100th anniversary. The question now, though, is: what kind of club will Kendal Town be in 2019?

It is understandable if supporters are feeling jittery about the club’s future after weeks of turmoil during which the squad’s pay budget was slashed and 12 first team players leave.

It is also understandable if they feel club bosses are not being totally open with them about the reality of the situation, especially in relation to a proposed consortium bid which could lead to an investment of £50,000 in Kendal Town.

To be fair, such proposals have to be shrouded in secrecy because of the need for commercial confidentiality. But keeping totally silent about the club’s situation is not, perhaps, wise and can lead to unhelpful speculation about its future that could be wide of the goal.

District councillor Matt Severn probably echoes the sentiments of many Kendal Town supporters when he says the club should be ‘open and fair with all players, members and fans and to welcome scrutiny’.

What everybody surely wants is for the club to do well on the park and not be distracted by other issues.

As former Kendal player Mark Howard warns - there is a risk that if the club does not improve it could be relegated from the Evo-Stik North League and, as a consequence, be no longer able to attract decent players.

As Kendal Town’s centenary nears, let us hope the club can settle into a sustained period of calm off the field - and high octane performance on it.