It's business as usual for me at Ashford Town, insists Lovell

Thursday 01st July 2010

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell insists it’s business as usual at Homelands - despite the club surviving a winding up order from co-chairman Tony Betteridge and the Ryman League confirming that the club have been suspended from all football by the Football Association, writes Stephen McCartney.

Mr Betteridge took Don Crosbie (the current chairman) to the High Court to try to wind up the club in London on Wednesday, but thankfully the club won that battle for the time being.

A club statement said: “Following today’s court case, the petition by Tony Betteridge to wind up Ashford Town FC has been thrown out.

“In what is a good victory for the club, any further attempts to close the club will have to be held in front of a Judge with evidence given by both sides.

“With the winding up order temporary resolved the club hope to keep on with preparation for the new season.”

Whilst supporters were able to celebrate the news, they were left stunned by today’s news (that has been confirmed by the Ryman League on it’s website) that the club have been suspended from all football by the Football Association.

A statement issued by the Ryman League said: “The FA have imposed sanctions on the club for an alleged failure to pay loan fees of more than £2,000 to Ebbsfleet United.”

An FA spokesman confirmed the sanctions meant that the Ryman League Division One South club was barred from participating in all competitions, including friendly games, at all levels including youth football, and will remain in place until proof is provided that the debt has been settled.

The spokesman added: "The position can change quickly. As soon as the debt is paid, the matter can be considered and the sanctions removed.

"The club was initially placed under a registration embargo and were given a deadline of the day before the league’s annual meeting (on June 19) to pay the debts."

Ryman League chairman Alan Turvey confirmed: "The non-payment is an FA offence and not a Ryman League one but for the time being, the club is suspended from all football.

"They were included in the league’s constitution at the annual meeting, despite knowledge of the offence. We don’t want to lose Ashford, nor any team, from the league but if they are still in problems, then they will not be allowed to start the season."

“Meanwhile, a winding-up order brought by director Tony Betteridge, who is at loggerheads with chairman Don Crosbie, was adjourned for 14 days by the High Court yesterday to allow Mr Crosbie's representatives to provide written evidence in support of their case against the petition.”

Lovell, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk just before 7pm today, insists he will prepare his side for the season ahead.

“I just carry on as normal,” he said. “Whatever’s going on off-the-field, I can’t do anything about, so I just approach everything in the same way as I would normally.

“Me and Mark (Patterson) were preparing for our pre-season, we’re getting the boys in next week (Saturday 10 July) and we’ll continue as normal.

“I’m sure things will be sorted out off-the-field, but I can’t presume anything and I’ve just got to carry on and treat everything is going on as normal.”

Lovell has held talks with chairman Mr Crosbie.

“I spoke to Don after the court case yesterday,” revealed the Welshman. “The winding-up order was adjourned and thrown out so that’s a good plus for the club.

“Now, apparently, this morning there’s been some other developments regarding what’s been going on, but like I say, I don’t know anything about it.

“I’m sure if will be taken care off in the right manner by the right people and I’m not in control of that, so I will leave that to the experts at the football club.”

Players such as goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens have previously confirmed that he hasn’t discussed the club’s problems - and this was confirmed by the manager tonight.

Lovell said: “No they haven’t, the players haven’t rung me up at all. All they’ve asked me is when pre-season is starting.

“They’re in the same boat as me, they’ve been with me a few years, the boys, and they know the situation. They know if there was a major problem, I’d be in touch with them.

“As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing for anybody to worry about and we’re going to get on with it and make sure we start pre-season next week and focus on the season ahead.”

Lovell has made three summer signings to date; Adam Flanagan (Dartford), Tom Bryant (Tonbridge Angels) and Ian Pulman (Whitstable Town).

Lovell added: “They are the three lads that we’ve signed so far, with the rest of the boys. Between now and the start of the season I’m sure there will be one or two boys to sign for us.

“The pre-season is an important time when players can come down and join in with the pre-season with us and we’ll see how we go from there.

“There’s a long way to go and we just have to make sure we start the pre-season in the right manner and make sure that we start on the right foot.”

When asked his feelings on the suspension from all football, Lovell replied, “I don’t know anything. Mark Patterson rang me up today and my son (Mark) rang me up from Ashford, obviously he works down there and read the paper.

“I don’t know what the ins and outs are, I don’t get involved with it. I think Don has done the right thing by dealing with it himself. I can’t help him in anyway and I’m sure once it’s all sorted we can carry on. I’m very confident it will happen.

“I’ve been down the club, this is my fourth season, my third full season so I’ve got a very, very good relationship with Don. I trust him, I respect him and I’m sure things will be sorted out.”

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk