Non-League Casualties

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.

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. Recruitment agency HR GO and brewers Shepherd Neame have withdrawn their financial support as the credit crunch hits home.

It’s already curtains for Unibond Premier club Newcastle Blue Star who have been officially wound up. Blue Star met with the Football Association and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) last week to see if they could reduce the £61,500 grant repayment they were required to make, but the Unibond claim the money they owe is nearer £150,000. The Aristocrats moved in with Newcastle Falcons two years ago – but failed to inform the FSIF of their switch to Kingston Park having been given the cash to upgrade their Druid Park home in 1999.

Farsley Celtic’s existence in hanging by a thread after the Blue Square North club’s £200,000 debt to the taxman (yet again) was called in. They are due in the High Court in Wednesday to hear if the club will be closed down after a winding-up order was sought against the 101-year old Villagers. The club had hoped to pay off its debts by selling land adjacent to the stadium for £2m. However, Leeds City Council refused to grant planning permission for building and the plot is now worth less than £500,000. In any case, they could not get hold of the money until October at the earliest.

Stafford Rangers are another financially challenged Blue Square North club. They need to raise £50,000 to pay debts after their bank refused them credit. The club has launched a scheme, linked to a draw, to get 250 fans to loan the club £250 for a period of one month to five years. The club is also selling raffle tickets at £50 a time for stadium and stand naming rights. One anonymous supporter has already bought 125 of the loan slots for £25,000.