Two non-league clubs survive

Two non-league clubs that were on the brink of folding, Welling United and Windsor & Eton, have managed to survive at the last minute.


In the case of Welling in South-East London they originally owed Revenue and Customs £97,000.   They managed to pay off £37,000, but were facing a winding up order in the High Court tomorrow.   Their supporters rallied round and managed to pay off the remaining £60,000.

Two non-league clubs that were on the brink of folding, Welling United and Windsor & Eton, have managed to survive at the last minute.


In the case of Welling in South-East London they originally owed Revenue and Customs £97,000.   They managed to pay off £37,000, but were facing a winding up order in the High Court tomorrow.   Their supporters rallied round and managed to pay off the remaining £60,000.


Wings supremo Barrie Hobbins blamed the board’s lack of strength in saying ‘no’ to previous managers when they demanded an increase in the playing budget.  He commented, ‘We can’t let our hearts rule our heads and fall backwards again.   We must learn and showing an over generosity to managers is something we can’t get dragged back into.’


Windsor & Eton, known as the Royalists, escaped the axe after they got a 56-day stay of execution from the High Court.    They owe Revenue and Customs £50,000, but convinced judges that they had workable plans to pay off the debt over the next three years. 


A Compulsory Voluntary Arrangement was drawn up by potential new owner Kevin Stott.  Subject to the permission of the Crown, who own Stags Meadow, a 3G pitch will be installed and a gym built into a new stand.    These developments should generate additional revenue to give the club a more secure basis.