IT has emerged that Halesowen Town has been letting supporters use its main stand even though the safety certificate covering the seating has expired.

Dudley Council confirmed it cancelled the certificate on the Harry Rudge stand August 24 meaning it should not have been used since that date.

But despite this the seating - built in 1987 as a tribute to former player and manager Mr Rudge - was used at a home game against Cambridge City on August 26 - at a game against Stourbridge on August 31 and at a match against Swindon Supermarine on August 29.

The stand is the only area of seating at The Grove and features the press box, directors' box and lounge.

Councillor Bob James: "It is up to the directors of the club to run the club and ensure the stadium is in good order.

"The club is in turmoil at this moment in time and when new owners take over I would think it would be their first priority to get a safety certificate secured."

A spokesman for Dudley Council said the council cancelled the safety certificate on August 24 as it had received information that the person named on the certificate was no longer responsible for the management of the ground.

He said: "The council is currently working with Halesowen Town Football Club to renew their stand safety certificate.

"They are legally bound not to use the stand until a new certificate is in place."

The spokesman said it was hoped there would be a new certificate in place for tomorrow's (Wednesday) match against a team from West Bromwich Albion.

He said: "We have had no complaints about it being used when it shouldn't have been."

Harry Rudge, known as Mr Halesowen Town, is credited with at times almost singlehandedly keeping the club running. He was manager of The Yeltz when the team went to Wembley three times in the 1980s for the FA Vase. He died in 1990.