Two non-league clubs relegated from the Blue Square Premier last year are facing a battle for survival. In both cases, it could be said to once again represent vaulting ambition over-reaching itself. Lewes must find £30,000 by Wednesday or face being the latest non-league club to go to the wall. Weymouth will go into administration if they cannot find £50,000 in the next ten days. Blue Square South side Lewes owe HM Revenue and Customs £110,000 and with tax revenues falling the authorities have finally run out of patience with the debt-ridden Rooks.
Two non-league clubs relegated from the Blue Square Premier last year are facing a battle for survival. In both cases, it could be said to once again represent vaulting ambition over-reaching itself. Lewes must find £30,000 by Wednesday or face being the latest non-league club to go to the wall. Weymouth will go into administration if they cannot find £50,000 in the next ten days. Blue Square South side Lewes owe HM Revenue and Customs £110,000 and with tax revenues falling the authorities have finally run out of patience with the debt-ridden Rooks. The Sussex side face a make-or-break hearing at the High court where they must present at least £60,000 or face instant closure. In May, London side Fisher Athletic were wound up after owing a reported £250,000 in tax. An anonymous donor has pledged £30,000 to keep Lewes alive, but only if the club raises the same amount through donations, a tough assignment.
In the case of Weymouth the club have been taking in just enough money to pay for the squad and running costs, but there is no money to cover payments to certain creditors who have been insisting that payments be made. The club has made an appeal for help from any source and the board has said that it will step down if that would bring about a solution. In the present financial climate, however, white knights are thin on the ground.