WITNEY United Football Club has warned its future is at risk after it was stripped of its right to sell alcohol.

West Oxfordshire District Council revoked the club’s premises licence after police took action over alleged violence, drugs and underage drinking.

Officers listed 84 alleged crimes and incidents at the Polythene UK Stadium, Downs Road, in the last five years which police had to attend. And they warned the lack of control at the club could lead to a death.

The review was sparked by a September 17 call-out, where officers found a 16-year-old boy unconscious from alcohol and another semi-conscious from a ketamine drug overdose. They said there were no licensed door staff on duty and there was broken glass and vomit in the toilets.

Pc Duncan Johnson said: “It was complete chaos.”

A fight involving four to five people was reported on August 14 and a caller alleged his daughter was assaulted on September 4.

The club could also face court action by the council over noise from a drum and bass music evening, which drew one complaint from two-and-a-half miles away.

Chairman Steve Lake said he was disappointed at the police action and pledged to bid for a new premises licence, which also allows music events.

He said: “Witney United FC will be submitting a new licence application – in conjunction with all concerned – and move forward from the position we find overselves in.”

The licence is expected to expire at the end of the month, but Mr Lake hopes to get a temporary licence so alcohol can still be served in its club members’ bar for games.

He said the club would not apply for a temporary licence for its function room, the centre of the controversy, meaning there will be no alcohol and music events in January and February.

He warned a council hearing on Monday the club would not be viable without the licence, saying events brought in £500 profit a month – about 20 to 30 per cent of total club profits.

He said: “The only serious revenue we have is through the licensed events at the club.”

But police licensing officer Tony Cope told councillors: “If the situation continues we have to ask the question: ‘Where will it end?’ “I’m suggesting the impact is severe and there’s potential for a tragic outcome.”

He said: “The only option is to revoke the licence.”

He and councillors backed the club applying for two licences instead of one, for the bar and function room.

He said afterwards: “We can now work together for a licence that will work for the club and the police.”

The meeting was also told the council is considering court action over an alleged breach of a noise pollution notice issued by the authority.

An event on September 11, 2010, drew official noise complaints from 16 Witney residents, including the one two-and-a-half miles away, the meeting heard.