HAMPSHIRE clubs are finding it a struggle to play at step four level of the non-league pyramid system and above, with some sides falling on hard times.

Two such teams come together in an Easter Monday north Hampshire derby clash in the Southern League Division 1 Central when Fleet Town host Petersfield Town (kick-off 3pm).

Petersfield’s season of struggle has been well documented, with John Robson’s side struggling to register wins during what has been a wretched league campaign.

The Rams go up against Fleet Town – a side who have been struggling financially since the sudden death of their chairman Steve Cantle over the Christmas period.

The former Fleet chief was putting sizeable amounts of money into the club and they have had to cut back on players’ wages since he passed away.

Add to these two clubs the struggles of Gosport Borough, and AFC Totton a few seasons ago, while Farnborough have been appealing for more volunteers and bigger turnouts from supporters to try and balance their books.

“The football administration and the expectation on what you have to do on matchdays has been the biggest challenge we have faced since stepping up to step four of the non-league,” explained Petersfield chairman Graeme Moir.

“It’s not something you really consider when you go up as the biggest concerns on your mind are achieving the ground grading and trying to be competitive through the players you are able to sign.

“It’s difficult to describe what the changes are but I think more is expected of you as a club in all departments and it really stretches you in terms of expectations you place on volunteers.

“You hope they will all step up and help to achieve what is needed but for a lot of people the extra time and work needed goes beyond what they are able to put in – it’s almost as if you need a group of full time paid staff to run things for you.

“It’s sad to see so many of the Hampshire clubs at our level and above struggling so badly. We all suffer in terms of geography as the county is the furthest outpost for most of the leagues we are playing in.

“That adds to how tough it is to keep the clubs going – you have little in the way of local derbies and you spend a lot of your time on the motorway travelling to away games.

“All you can do is the best you can with the resources you have. Hopefully the reorganisation of steps three and four coming next summer will help to improve things location wise for the county’s clubs.”

Petersfield picked up a rare point when these two sides last met in January – the game at Love Lane finished as a 2-2 draw, with Billy Connor and Adam Cripps scoring for the Rams.