An AMERICAN football team has been told its application for a council's Covid-19 support grant appears "too costly".

Crewe Railroaders wanted £1,915 from Crewe Town Council's Covid-19 Community Response Fund to pay for equipment as the club's coaches prepare for a return to action in the BAFA National Leagues next year.

The Railroaders' senior side resumed non-contact training before the announcement of a second national lockdown left them kicking their heels again.

Councillors at the authority's community plan committee kicked the club's funding application down the road after hearing how costly some of the equipment could be.

Cllr Jill Rhodes said: "I had a look at the costs of the equipment they were looking for on the internet and from what I can see they are buying top of the range.

"I'm assuming they're buying from the US too and they have got shipping figures included. I was quite staggered by the cost of a helmet."

There is a large variation in prices with some online sites selling helmets for more than £400, although second-hand equipment can be bought on ebay for less than £100.

Councillors opted to defer the Railroaders' application to a future meeting when it will be reconsidered with evidence of costings.

Cllr Dennis Straine-Francis admitted: "I know nothing about American football other than the fact they play with the wrong-shaped ball."

The Railroader's application was one of several booted into touch by councillors as they casted a keen eye over which organisations and charities should get a slice of the £20,000 Covid-19 cash pot allocated to help resume activities.

Crewe Town Football Club's application for £1,607 for pitch hire, equipment including thermometers and first aid kits was also deferred.

St. Paul's Centre had its request for £1,000 to buy Adobe software, marketing materials and photographic equipment to develop its web site approved. The charity intends to take its furniture sales online after the service was was suspended back in March when the first lockdown was imposed.

Homestart had a grant application for £894, some of which will be used to buy colouring books and scented candles for families, approved.

As was St. Peter's Church's bid for £950, which was rounded up to £1,000, to pay for mental health training for its teams as well as five smart phones.

St. Michael's Church was handed £1,898.11 for repairs and decorations.

Other applications made to the committee included:

Motherwell Cheshire CIO - £767 for hand sanitisers, paper towels and posters (deferred).

Stroke Survivors Speech and Language Group - £979.50 for an afternoon tea for 30 people, Christmas gifts and a winter survival care pack (deferred).

Filament Projects CIC – £1,800 for a story pack for up to 300 children (deferred).

Family Ties CIC - £2,500 for one-to-one support for six months (approved).

Crewe Clean Team - £400 to pay for litter pickers, gloves and hi-vis vests (approved).

The Covid-19 Response Fund runs up to February 14 next year and cash is being offered on a first-come first-served basis to Crewe organisations, but only one application is permitted.

To find out details of scheme go here.