Former Peacehaven manager Peter Edwards believes the club is facing the most important week in its history.

The club have been threatened with eviction over an unpaid council bill and Edwards believes the situation could force the club to fold.

Peacehaven, who are pushing for promotion from County League division two, have until next Friday to pay an outstanding maintenance charge, believed to be about £1,200.

If the matter is not resolved Peacehaven Town Council will begin eviction proceedings against the club.

Edwards, who resigned earlier this week so that he could speak out about the dispute, said: "The situation is critical.

"After having been in the quarter finals of the FA Vase and having won count-less championships under myself and Alan Pook, this is the biggest week Peacehaven Football Club has ever had.

"Notice will be served from next Friday and when we go down that road, that will probably be it for the football club because of the expense of fighting the council."

Peacehaven lease their Piddinghoe Avenue ground from the council and say the issue is as much a point of principle as it is about money.

Edwards, whose parents are chairman and secretary of the club, explained: "The rent is paid up but there have been massive increases in maintenance charges on the ground.

"The club have been asking for a breakdown on the charges and that has not been forthcoming. They are trying to charge us for items which simply are not the football club's."

If the outstanding amount is not paid then the matter can go to arbitration but Edwards says the club do not have the money to fund a legal challenge.

However, Peacehaven Town Council claim the club pays a less lot than any clubs around Sussex and believe they have done all they can to help the club.

A council spokesman explained: "It is a shame that events have gone this far but the club only seems to respond to solicitors' letters, not those sent by the Town Council. The Town Council do not want to evict the football club but if the club repeatedly do not adhere to the terms of their lease they give no other legal avenue than to seek the advice of a solicitor.

"The Town Council have stated that they would be prepared for the Sussex FA to mediate to help resolve the problems once and for all so both sides can look to a future progress for the better of the club, the Town Council and the community in general."