Hastings United boss George Wakeling has suggested troubled St Leonards should merge with his team because Hastings is not big enough to support two football clubs.

Saints confirmed this week they have resigned from the Dr Martens League due to financial difficulties and will play County League division one football next season.

Wakeling said: "There are not enough football people in the town to support two clubs. No one has a divine right to be a big club, it takes work.

"Everyone has to take part - the town's business people, the supporters - but that can only happen if there is one club. I suggest they get behind Hastings and make it a bigger club for the good of football in the town."

Saints' ground is literally next to The Pilot Field and games have to be staggered so they do not clash.

They have played at the Firs since 1993 after United, then known as Hastings Town, moved from the ground in 1985 to play next door at the Pilot Field. Wakeling thinks this influences the number of supporters coming to watch football in the town.

St Leonards have averaged just 170 people for home games this season while premier division United are lucky to get 500.

Wakeling said: "I have always said it is very unhealthy to have one club right next door to another.

"If they had any football sense they would look to offer their services to us. That's the only way you could get people through the turnstiles."

Wakeling has warned the financial problems could eventually cause Saints to fold.

Saints were formed in 1971 as a works team known as Stamco after the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company.

The club rose 14 divisions in 26 years with the financial backing of company owner Stanley Shepperdson and then his son Leon.

But they have struggled financially since Leon Shepperdson stepped down as chairman in 1998 and ties with the company were broken soon after.

Wakeling said: "They are a warning to everyone. People do not realise how many clubs are close to liquidation, there are loads in our league. The best thing they could do is offer to merge because I think it is probably the only way they will survive.

"Are they happy just to be a County League team, do they have any ambition? I do not think I would be a manager if it wasn't for promotion and relegation, it's what gives football its excitement.

"Trying to battle with relegation is what football is all about and if they are just going to volunteer to drop out into the County League then they are showing a lack of ambition."