THE immediate future of Minehead Football Club has been secured after a decision by licensing chiefs that will help keep it financially afloat. Club officials won a renewal of the public entertainment licence for the function room at the Irnham Road ground despite a 70-signature petition of objection from neighbouring residents who failed to win their fight for the building to be soundproofed. West Somerset District Council's licensing committee agreed on Tuesday to the club's application for the licence to run on Fridays and Saturdays only, but from 12 noon to 11pm, instead of the midnight finishing time requested. And unless the club applies to extend those hours, it will not have to install the soundproofing that the committee virtually unanimously agreed was needed to help counter the noise nuisance to people living nearby. But officials and residents concerned about the implications of the licence renewal are now united in their efforts to persuade Minehead Town Council, which owns the ground and buildings, to carry out soundproofing. Club chairman Charlie Griffiths told councillors and a handful of objectors who attended this week's crucial meeting that there was every possibility that the club would cease to exist if the licence was not granted. He said the money raised helped support the top level of football played, not only for the senior side but also for the hundreds of girls and boys involved in junior teams. A failure to win the licence renewal would effectively take away the club's means of raising income. "This is the first time in 48 years that the club is doing something for the community," said Mr Griffiths. He said officials recognised the concerns expressed by neighbours and were doing everything in their power to address the problems, including the possibility of putting in secondary double glazing and a false ceiling. And he said he had a counter petition signed by 140 people backing the licence application. Environmental health officers have insisted that regular patrols of the perimeter of the premises must be carried out whilst any event or public entertainment is taking place to monitor noise levels and action taken to reduce any likely disturbance. However, until new licensing legislation comes into force in November, the club will still be able to hold private functions, such as weddings, on any day of the week without the need for the public entertainment licence. The club's application was backed by five Minehead town councillors - Cllrs Stephen Dear, Stan Taylor, Terry Venner, Tony Berry and Norman Hercock - who warned that failure to grant the licence could have disastrous financial implications for the club. In a letter they said officials had worked very hard to turn the club's fortunes around with the support of the town council and it would be unfortunate if the efforts ended in failure. "The club organises coaching and training for several hundred youngsters and its closure could cause a surge of trouble and vandalism if the facilities were no longer available for the young people of Minehead," said the five councillors. But objector and local resident Roy Towell said the clubhouse without soundproofing was not suitable for loud evening events at any time. Mr Towell said that when the club was granted a temporary six-month licence last December, he had felt badly let down as little credence had been given to the 31 letters of objection and the strongly expressed views of residents. "My impression was that fair play and justice did not prevail." Mr Towell said that despite the 70 objections this time, it appeared the club was going to get exactly what it wanted again. "The residents feel that no matter what they say or do, they are ignored. How many objections are needed to get a just outcome?" Queens Road resident Ron Blundell said he fully accepted that the recreation ground was given to the people of Minehead for sport and recreation. But the night-time noise was unacceptable and residents were extremely concerned about the potential for noise and vandalism if the licence was renewed. Ward members Cllrs Ann Foxhuntley and Christine Lawrence agreed the decision was very difficult and that the concerns of people living nearby had to be considered. But both said the club played a hugely important role in providing sporting opportunities for youngsters and officials were doing all they could to address the problems, which should be monitored very carefully. Cllr Foxhuntley said neither the club nor the town council could afford to install soundproofing. And Cllr Lawrence called for door staff to be employed, double glazing to be considered and the introduction of a 'quiet' hour to allow revellers a 'wind down' time. But Cllr Tony Knight said he believed there should be soundproofing for all events and not just if the club wanted to extend its public entertainment licence beyond Fridays and Saturdays. "If there is soundproofing, once it's done, it's done and I think it is important for the people who live there." Cllr David Banks said he greatly admired the club's work, particularly with young people and their endeavours on the sporting field should be applauded. But he said it was regrettable that the healthy lifestyle promoted had to be funded by late-night drinking and entertainment. "This is an old building with no soundproofing or double glazing - it is a totally inappropriate venue. "I don't go along with the 'we can't afford it' line - Minehead Town Council has a legislative responsibility to soundproof it. "If it costs, it costs. This has got to be an opt-in clause." However, Cllr Banks and the majority of councillors backed an amendment proposed by Cllr Terry Ayres that the licence should be renewed, with the only concession to residents the 11pm finish and without any conditions for soundproofing to be installed.