Post by Giggy of Telford on Jun 22, 2006 18:19:27 GMT
Taken from non-league daily:
Best of luck Leek, enjoyed my trip to Leek last year (even if we left with an injured captain.
LEEK FACE WINDING-UP ORDER
Desperate officials are facing a race against time in a bid to save cash-strapped UniBond League Premier Division Leek Town.
The Blues have been issued with a winding up notice - and must find £35,000 by the end of the month.
Now, chairman Marvin Clarke has made a last-ditch plea for funds to help save the club.
Clarke revealed the Harrison Park outfit has an outstanding tax bill of around £35,000 and confirmed they had been issued with a winding-up notice.
Clarke said 'third party' benefactors, who he refused to name, had pledged cash at the start of the season, but had not paid up.
The club, which fought back from a poor start to last season to finish in mid-table, now has until the end of the month to find money for the bill before the winding-up notice expires.
Clarke said the board of directors have been in talks about how to tackle the crisis this week, and felt speaking publicly would give the club hope of attracting funds.
Clarke, chairman since 2004, added that he would be happy to listen to takeover bids.
"With any club at this level, you've got to find benefactors to keep the club going," he said.
"We have to look for £70,000 to £100,000-a-year from within the club, businesses or associated third parties.
"We budget at the start of the season and money from certain third parties hasn't materialised. It's left us with a shortfall to make up in the region of £35,000.
"We kept backing the new manager and pulled off the greatest escape of all time to stay in the division.
"We carried on paying the players' wages, hoping the money pledged to the club would come in. We've been left with a tax bill at the end of the year.
"The easy option would have been for us to put more money in and pay it, but where do we draw the line? We've spent around £200,000 to keep the club going.
"We've had a winding-up notice which is due to expire in around a fortnight and the directors have met over the last seven days to decide what to do.
"What is most important is the future of Leek Town.
"The club is bigger than any one person. Leek Town needs help and I'd invite offers anyone who wants to take over.
"I was a reluctant chairman, but we've done a marvellous job keeping the finances straight. We're not in any other debt.
"As directors, we've decided to go public to show we're doing everything we can to keep the club going. We feel we've done everything possible to safeguard the club's future."
He added the situation faced by the club is 'critical', but feels a rescue package can be secured.
"I'm reasonably confident this can be resolved because I think there are people or organisations out there who will be interested," he said.
"We've kept the budget tight but when you've been pledged money and you don't get it, it leaves you with a hole. It's disappointing - you shouldn't take anything for granted, but when it is certain organisations you know well, you take it as read that they will keep to their pledges. Those parties may well come and sort it out now if they realise how critical the situation is."
www.leektown.co.uk
Desperate officials are facing a race against time in a bid to save cash-strapped UniBond League Premier Division Leek Town.
The Blues have been issued with a winding up notice - and must find £35,000 by the end of the month.
Now, chairman Marvin Clarke has made a last-ditch plea for funds to help save the club.
Clarke revealed the Harrison Park outfit has an outstanding tax bill of around £35,000 and confirmed they had been issued with a winding-up notice.
Clarke said 'third party' benefactors, who he refused to name, had pledged cash at the start of the season, but had not paid up.
The club, which fought back from a poor start to last season to finish in mid-table, now has until the end of the month to find money for the bill before the winding-up notice expires.
Clarke said the board of directors have been in talks about how to tackle the crisis this week, and felt speaking publicly would give the club hope of attracting funds.
Clarke, chairman since 2004, added that he would be happy to listen to takeover bids.
"With any club at this level, you've got to find benefactors to keep the club going," he said.
"We have to look for £70,000 to £100,000-a-year from within the club, businesses or associated third parties.
"We budget at the start of the season and money from certain third parties hasn't materialised. It's left us with a shortfall to make up in the region of £35,000.
"We kept backing the new manager and pulled off the greatest escape of all time to stay in the division.
"We carried on paying the players' wages, hoping the money pledged to the club would come in. We've been left with a tax bill at the end of the year.
"The easy option would have been for us to put more money in and pay it, but where do we draw the line? We've spent around £200,000 to keep the club going.
"We've had a winding-up notice which is due to expire in around a fortnight and the directors have met over the last seven days to decide what to do.
"What is most important is the future of Leek Town.
"The club is bigger than any one person. Leek Town needs help and I'd invite offers anyone who wants to take over.
"I was a reluctant chairman, but we've done a marvellous job keeping the finances straight. We're not in any other debt.
"As directors, we've decided to go public to show we're doing everything we can to keep the club going. We feel we've done everything possible to safeguard the club's future."
He added the situation faced by the club is 'critical', but feels a rescue package can be secured.
"I'm reasonably confident this can be resolved because I think there are people or organisations out there who will be interested," he said.
"We've kept the budget tight but when you've been pledged money and you don't get it, it leaves you with a hole. It's disappointing - you shouldn't take anything for granted, but when it is certain organisations you know well, you take it as read that they will keep to their pledges. Those parties may well come and sort it out now if they realise how critical the situation is."
www.leektown.co.uk
Best of luck Leek, enjoyed my trip to Leek last year (even if we left with an injured captain.
