WSL 2 side Durham face threat of closure

WSL 2 side Durham face threat of closureImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Durham striker Leyla McFarland is a Northern Ireland internationalByMichael EmonsBBC Sport journalistPublished1 minute agoWomen's Super League 2 side Durham have warned the club "will have to cease operations at all levels" unless a buyer can be found in three weeks.In 2025-26, Durham finished 10th out of 12 teams in the division - the second tier of women's football in England - but their participation in the 2026-27 campaign is in doubt.A statement issued on Monday said: "Durham Women Football Club can today confirm the club is seeking offers for investment into or the complete purchase of the football club."The club has been in prolonged talks with potential investors for several months but these have fallen away in recent weeks."Unfortunately, without this additional investment the club does not have sufficient funds to operate in a fully compliant way in the Barclays Women's Super League 2 for the 2026-27 season."We have today informed staff and players that unless a buyer or investor comes forward within the next 21 days, the club will have to cease operations at all levels."The club was founded in 2007 as a single under-10 girls' grassroots team before expanding quickly, with some players from that original side now members of the first-team squad.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Durham play their home matches at Maiden Castle, which has a capacity of up to 2,400WSL 2 award-winner Herron calls for investment in north east footballPublished21 MayDurham, nicknamed the Wildcats, have reached the Women's FA Cup quarter-finals twice and also the League Cup last eight on two occasions, while the club's under-16 and under-21 teams both reached national finals last season.Neil Redfearn coached the first team for the final six games of 2025-26, after Adam Furness had a two-year spell as boss.For a while, Durham were the...