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Blue Square North

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Redditch taken over

Submitted by WG on Sun, 20/03/2011 - 15:24

Blue Square North club Redditch United have been acquired by local businessman Chris Swan in a takeover that wipes out their debt.   The property developer had agreed to take over Kidderminster Harriers last month but pulled out because he was unsure of the true extent of their debts.


Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if Redditch can avoid relegation.  To add to their woes, the Conference gave them a five point deduction last Friday for submitting misleading information as part of the league's Financial Reporting Initiative.

Bucks aim for Football League

Submitted by WG on Sun, 28/11/2010 - 09:43

AFC Telford are the latest club to announce that their ambition is to reach the Football League, despite their predecessor club going out of business.   The Blue Square Bet North club was a phoenix club formed after Telford United, a founder member of the Conference, went into liquidation with the collapse of benefactor Andy Shaw's businesses in 2004.

Conference clubs owe less to taxman

Submitted by WG on Mon, 22/11/2010 - 08:21

The 67 Blue Square league clubs owe £1.2m less to Revenue and Customs than this time last year.  The Conference understandably credits its Financial Reporting Initiative under which clubs have to make quarterly financial returns for this achievement. 

Ilkeston fold but phoenix club likely

Submitted by WG on Sun, 19/09/2010 - 15:07

Ilkeston Town Football Club have been wound up over a £50,000 tax debt.   Their record this season in the Blue Square Bet North has been expunged.   Erewash Borough Council have confirmed that the New Manor Ground will be available to a successor club which is likely to start at Step 5 at the highest of the non-league system next season.

Bleak future for Ilkeston Town

Submitted by WG on Sun, 12/09/2010 - 14:13

The future for Ilkeston Town looks bleak after they were wound up last week over a 50k tax debt.  Their match against Redditch yesterday did not go ahead and the receiver has not had any offers for the club as a going concern.  Fans are talking of forming a phoenix club.

Farsley Celtic on the brink

Submitted by WG on Sun, 07/03/2010 - 16:32

The spectre of liquidation hangs over Blue Square North club Farsley Celtic who are already in trouble with the Conference for failing to fulfil two fixtures.   Administrators Mazers have rejected two bids made by a consortium led by president Jon Palmer, the latest for £500,000.  It is believed that debts total £750,000, but £200,000 of that relates to fees the administrators are charging for their work since last July.   The club have the backing of Leeds City Council who say they won't gran

Northwich hit trouble

Submitted by WG on Sun, 21/02/2010 - 12:58

Northwich Victoria, who received a ten point deduction at the start of the season for being in administration, having been threatened with the same sanction again if they do not settle football debts by 31st March.  Last week the Conference hit them with a £2,500 fine for breaching Rule 11 after defaulting on payments to a number of clubs and fomer players.  They have until March 18th to pay the fine, and if the debts aren't paid off by 31st March, they will be fined a further £7,500 along with the points deduction.

Non-league Clubs in Trouble

Submitted by WG on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 00:00

A number of non-league clubs are in trouble. Blue Square South club Lewes need to find £48,000 by tomorrow or face an Inland Revenue winding up order. The problem for the club is that Lewes, nice though it is, is hardly a football town and any fans there are can go into Brighton or even up to London without too much difficulty. Former League club Chester City, now in the Blue Square North, have not paid their players for November and December and now they have been told to find other clubs.

Hyde United On Edge of Abyss

Submitted by WG on Sun, 27/09/2009 - 00:00

Blue Square North outfit Hyde United face liquidation tomorrow. On Wednesday Hyde were wound up by the High Court with debts of £123,000. The gates of their Ewen Fields ground have been padlocked shut with the insurance on the stadium now invalid. They have got seven days to appeal the decision but they need to come up with all the money they owe HM Revenue and Customs to get the winding up order rescinded. Hyde United have collected £67,000 and the local council have pledged £23,000 in sponsorship, but when legal costs are added in, that leaves them £35,000 short.

Non-League Casualties

Submitted by WG on Sun, 28/06/2009 - 00:00

Folkestone Invicta, themselves a 'phoenix' club that arose from the ashes of the financially troubled Folkestone, could go into administration on Monday unless they find the £70,000 they calculate they need to start next season. The Ryman South club have an outstanding tax bill of nearly £100,000. The directors are continuing their fight to reduce the HM Revenue and Customs bill. They fear that the club's debt could rise to £300,000 by this time next year. Invicta are still reeling from the loss of their main sponsors over the close season.