Kentish Football 
SAVE THE WINGS CAMPAIGN: Kent's great fans can play their part to save Welling United
Saturday 04th December 2010
A NORWICH based Solicitors are playing their part to help save Welling United - but Kent football fans are urged to play their part to save ONE OF OUR OWN, writes Stephen McCartney.
We were all bitterly disappointed that England were robbed of staging the 2018 and 2022 World Cups by FIFA - losing out to Russia and Qatar respectively - but I would feel even worse if Welling United were to be wiped out at The High Court on 15 December.
This is make or break - this is the time to all PULL TOGETHER and prove that football fans in our GREAT COUNTY are the BEST AROUND.
Time is running out - Welling United’s supporters must find £60,000 in only ELEVEN days - or the Wings will CLOSE DOWN!
Dan Chapman, the Partner of solicitors Leathes Prior, issued the following plea to supporters of ALL Kent football clubs.
“As you are aware, the club is facing challenging times and currently had financial difficulties,” said Mr Chapman.
“This has resulted in HM Revenue & Customs petitioning for the winding-up of the club.
“If the club fails to find the necessary funds to satisfy HMRCs petition debt by 15 December 2010 the court will have no realistic alternative but to grant a winding-up order.
“The consequence of a winding-up order being made are obvious; Welling United will join the list of clubs (which include Chester, Ilkeston Town and Kings Lynn) to have ceased to exist at the hands of HMRC.
“It has been suggested to the club that a number of fans may be prepared to offer a loan to the club to play a part in saving Welling United.
“We hope that you also will assist in saving the club and for that reason I attach a short loan agreement that has been constructed for your benefit.
“You will note from the agreement that any financial support that you provide will be combined to any other loans provided by loyal fans and used solely for the purpose of clearing the debt owed to HMRC as at 15 December 2010.
“Should insufficient funds be raised by 15 December 2010 for this purpose then your loan will remain in Leathes Priors client account on trust and will be repaid to you at your request.
“I confirm that your money will only be used in conjunction with other monies raised to satisfy the debt to HMRC. You will see from the agreement the other situations in which you would be entitled to repayment.
“In order to successfully save the club we need to raise £60,000 promptly. Time is ticking and the deadline is approaching fast.”
To help, you simply need to elect the amount you wish to provide to the club from the following sums: £3,000 / £2,500 / £2,000 / £1,500 / £1,000 / £500.
“If you would wish to loan a greater sum then please contact me directly to discuss this,” added Mr Chapman.
“You then need to complete the loan agreement, and send this to us with the monies.”
The simplest and quickest way to send monies is to create a CHAPS transfer to Leathes Priors client account quoting the reference DHC/WEL80-3. The bank account details are as follows:
Bank Address: NatWest Bank plc
Norwich City Office
45 London Street
Norwich
NR2 1HX
Sort code: 60-15-31
Account number: 68537956
IBAN: GB24NWBK60153168537956
Swift/BIC code: NWBKGB2L
Alternatively, please make your cheque payable to Leathes Prior Solicitors.
Mr Chapman said: “Once Leathes Prior has received your payment we will sign the loan agreement and provide you with a copy.“
Should you have any queries then please contact Dan Chapman:
Tel: 01603 610 911
Email: dchapman@leathesprior.co.uk
Leathes Prior - founded in 1876 - represented Welling United Football Club in the High Court in their latest battle to ensure their survival.
Dan Chapman, Head of the Sports Law Team, worked closely with partner Adam McCaw's Insolvency Team to persuade the Court, against opposition from the HMRC, that Welling United should be given further time to find a way to settle its outstanding debts.
Mr Chapman commented; "It is a really difficult period for small football clubs, and we are doing all we can to ensure that Welling United be given every opportunity to survive. Football clubs are different from most businesses, given the importance that they have to the fans and wider community, and our Sports Law Team are absolutely dedicated to doing whatever we can to give clubs such as this one a fighting chance."
When making contact please mention that you read this article on www.kentishfootball.co.uk
Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com
Visit Leathes Prior’s website: www.leathesprior.co.uk
Download the following PDF form for terms and conditions: http://www.wellingunited.com/WellingUnitedLoanAgreement.pdf
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd