A popular Halesowen sports club facing closure after more than half a century has been left in limbo after a courtroom fight to keep its premises was adjourned for the second time.

Somers Sports and Social Club is due to find out if the Walter Somers Employees Fund will be granted a repossession order on The Grange in Bromsgrove Road next month.

At a hearing at Birmingham County Court yesterday proceedings were deferred until January 23.

The group has been allowed to use the 250-year-old building for free since the 1950s when it became a club for employees at the Walter Somers factory.

But two years ago the property’s trustees imposed rent and maintenance fees.

Club chairman Paul Hill said members continued to face a waiting game adding: “The club is very much in limbo. Spirits within the club are quite low at the moment.”