#INSERT type:image caption:Jermain Defoe played for Senrab almost two decades ago. END#
Grassroots football club Senrab believe they are entitled to a share of money from two transfers involving Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, The Times has reported.
The East London club would be owed thousands of pounds if their claim that they are due money from Defoe's transfers from Tottenham to Toronto and Toronto to Sunderland is backed.
The striker played for Senrab nearly 20 years ago, and club secretary Tony Carroll said FIFA rules say every club who played a role in the development, between the ages of 12 and 23, of a player who makes an international transfer is entitled to a "solidarity contribution."
Carroll said: "It's very tough running a club like ours, especially in a place like London with the expense of pitches.
"We've struggled to survive. We've helped develop so many players who have gone on to professional careers, like Jermain, and FIFA brought in a system so clubs like ours would get rewarded for that work."
Senrab say Defoe represented them beyond his 12th birthday -- into the timeframe in the regulations. Carroll has submitted evidence, including match reports, in support of their claim to have developed him for a year.
After playing for the club, Defoe went on to train with Charlton and then joined West Ham United at the age of 16.
Carroll said the solidarity money could help safeguard the future of a club that can boast Ray Wilkins, Ledley King, Sol Campbell and John Terry among their former players.
"It can feel like a losing battle," he said. "We're training and playing all over the place.
"We want to keep encouraging kids of all abilities to get involved in the sport and if, along the way, we can help to produce a talent like Jermain, that's great.
"But it gets harder every year just to keep the club running."