Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Conference clubs told to get their finances in order
Friday 19th November 2010
Click here for tonight’s Soccer Shorts’ articles
The Directors of the Football Conference were pleased to receive figures presented at their last monthly Board meeting (11th November) indicating a considerable reduction in total monies owed by member Clubs to HMRC for PAYE, NIC and VAT.
From an estimated sum of £1.6m last season concerted efforts over the past twelve months has seen a dramatic reduction to below £400k, as at the last reporting period (31 October).
Under a Financial Reporting Initiative, designed to nurture sustainability, Clubs are required to submit a quarterly return relating to their financial trading. The Initiative was adopted by the Clubs in 2009. It is believed the scheme is encouraging more Clubs to live within their means, and is responsible for increasing accountability in respect of Crown debt.
Quite naturally, the Board is keen to continue promoting a conscientious response.
Further practices and monitoring will, therefore, be introduced in the next 12 months to deal with other issues allied to financial prudence. In the past three years 13 Clubs have been subject to a winding-up petition, six have ceased to trade, and another entered into a CVA. It is abundantly clear, the Board’s aims & objectives to improve good governance and raise fiscal awareness amongst its members, is in the interest of each member and protects the integrity of the Competition.
The industry cannot afford to lose any more Clubs: every participant within the game has a responsibility
to protect and insure football’s future.
Commenting on The Conference’s latest findings, Chairman Brian Lee stated in a statement: “We
are really pleased with the improvements seen in the report to the Board. It is good news that there has been a substantial decrease owed to the Revenue but that is only part of our overall strategy to achieve a debt free membership.
“Collectively the Football Conference has been derided in certain sections of the football community
for our stance. The current Board will not be deflected from our vision for the future.
“We have to be strong for the benefit of the majority of clubs who do play by the rules and we are of course mindful of the pain and hurt caused to fans when clubs are sanctioned for their inability to live within their means. We are heartened to see our strong stance on these issues being rewarded.
“The accounts each club must now submit on a quarterly basis allows us to be proactive in offering
assistance where we can but we have scope and wish to see other areas tightened up.
“Until the member clubs receive details of the proposals to be introduced next season it would be wrong at this stage to say anything publicly for obvious reasons”.
Mr Lee continued, “As Chairman of the Football Conference I am proud to head up a group of dedicated directors who have been instrumental in leading the way for the whole of the game and who will not be deflected from their vision to improve how clubs operate financially.
“Clubs have to be honest and trust us to keep all matters confidential. The message we are sending out though is clear. For those who wish to mislead, give inaccurate or false information; there will be severe
sanctions”.
The report identified 47 clubs were fully up to date with HMRC payments, compared with 39 this time last season. 12 more had agreements to cover outstanding arrears, against 22 last year, and 5 Clubs had no agreement in place but their debt to HMRC was less than three months old. The 3 remaining clubs in the current membership have issues which, amongst other sanctions, have resulted in them being placed under player embargo until they are compliant with the current regulations.
Mr Lee confirmed, “It is clear from these club statistics that 12 months down the line we are turning the corner but it is against a backdrop that at the end of this season a number of member clubs will move out of the overall competition, either by promotion or relegation, which in turn will bring others into membership, and who knows what issues they may bring with them.
“We obviously do wish to see the day when all matters are decided on the field of play but until the day all clubs live within their means, the Football Conference will continue to lead the way as these
latest figures clearly and ably demonstrate”.
ASHFORD TOWN say things are well underway for the club’s rebirth - and now the club’s fans can do their bit to help the club get back on the map.
It was sad to see the Homelands outfit resign from the Ryman League during the summer and the club decided not to enter the Kent League.
But new chairman Ernie Warren has launched the Ashford Town Green and White 100 Club, giving supporters the chance to win cash in weekly draws as well as helping the club.
For just £10 a month, members can win £60 a week, with the sum raising £10 per 10 new members once the club has 50 subscribers.
For more information, call Ernie Warren on 01233 643036 or 01233 627373.
BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer says the Kent League club have already been swamped with requests for details of their FA Carlsberg Vase third round tie against high-flying Kings Lynn Town.
“Whatever it is about this particular pairing it seems to have captured the imagination of the non-league public,” Mr Palmer told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.
The Eden Park Avenue outfiit have confirmed any replay will be played on Saturday 11 December - seven days following the original game.
DOVER ATHLETIC boss Martin Hayes hopes Woking’s FA Cup exploits will help his side book their place in the first round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy tomorrow.
Their Blue Square Bet South rivals took League One high-flyers Brighton & Hove Albion to a FA Cup First Round replay, but were defeated on penalties in midweek.
Dover Athletic will want to avoid a draw tomorrow as they host League Two side Aldershot Town in the Second Round of the FA Cup next Saturday.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Woking clash, Hayes told www.kentishfootball.co.uk : “I hope to get another good cup run going. I’m expecting a tough game against a big, strong, direct team.
“I hope they will be tired from the epic effort against Brighton in midweek.”
ERITH & BELVEDERE have lost yet another player from Martin Munday’s talented under 14 squad to another Football League club.
Devontea Roberts has this week signed for the Charlton Athletic academy and he now joins Alex Arif and Raphael Inebode, who were snapped up by Crystal Palace earlier in the season.
FISHER launch the club’s first Fisher Community Day for tomorrow’s Kent League clash against Sittingbourne based side Norton Sports.
The day will kick-off a long-term project that will aim to host a number of community-centred days at Champion Hill over this season and the next.
The day has been organised by Fisher Football Club and the club’s charity partner Time and Talents and will accompany the fixture against Norton Sports FC at 3pm.
The aim of the Fisher Community Day is to:
Provide new experiences and opportunities of social interaction for groups considered ‘hard to reach’ by Time & Talents Charity.
Encourage individuals and other community groups to become involved in supporting, volunteering or partnering with the club
Raise awareness of the football club and Time & Talents as well as the respective aims of both organisations
A youth group from Time and Talents, Rotherhithe are attending the game and they have been given a project to make a film about Fisher.
The group plan to film behind the scenes and possibly interview some of the club’s players, staff and supporters before the game. Two people from the group will also have the chance to be team mascots for the day; leading the teams out and warming up with the players.
Last Saturday the club’s committee distributed flyers to 1000 homes around the Surrey Docks Stadium in Rotherhithe; raising awareness of the club’s aims and ambitions and offering free entry to the game for those flyer recipients who sign up for free membership.
Whilst Fisher of course welcome support from outside the north of the Borough and from even further afield, as efforts are made to move back to the Bermondsey area it is felt that attempts should be made to re-engage with those that live in the club’s traditional catchment area and encourage their support.
The club hopes that those supporters who didn’t receive the free entry flyer offer don’t feel excluded and can understand why this offer was made exclusively to those homes around the Surrey Docks Stadium.
Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United have signed versatile Frenchman Cedric Abraham on contract.
The 28-year-old Guadeloupean defender signed for Fisher from Merstham in March and his arrival coincided with a 10 match unbeaten run and a London Senior Cup Quarter Final appearance in which Cedric scored a memorable volley against Croydon Athletic.
He has been an ever present in the side this season and after a string of commanding performances it is perhaps unsurprising that a club from further up the non-league pyramid has come knocking.
Maidstone Manager Andy Ford had indicated to the club that he was interested in taking Cedric Abraham to the Homelands Stadium. Cedric then played 90 minutes for the Stones as they lost 4-2 at home to Cray Wanderers under the watchful eyes of Andy Ford and Fisher boss Gary Lisney.
Lisney admitted the player will be difficult to replace but respects the player’s decision to move on and thinks that on balance the new signings brought in will strengthen the side.
“It’s a shame about Cedric as he was a big, big player for us but it’s good for us in a way too, it shows we’re a shop window for Ryman Premier clubs looking for talent which will only attract a better standard of player to us,” Lisney told www.fisherfc.co.uk.
“It’s great for Cedric too, he’s a great lad and has been fantastic for us since he joined last season. He deserves another crack at playing at that level and I’m sure he’ll do very well for Maidstone
“Despite Cedric leaving I think we’ve strengthened the squad over the two weeks; Phillip Hadland and Steve Sallis are both experienced players who are great additions for us and will make us a lot more competitive than we have been in recent weeks. There’s also one or two other players who I’ve got an eye on who I may look to bring in in time for the Norton game on Saturday.”
GREENWICH BOROUGH manager Steve Firkins says he hopes for more luck when it comes to refereeing decisions during tomorrow’s trip to VCD Athletic in the Kent League Cup.
Firkins takes his side to Oakwood looking to claw back a 2-1 deficit from the first leg at Oakley Road as he bids to reach the Second Round of the competition.
He told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “After the first leg we know what we have to do. We have spoke with the players this week and they know we need to score two goals to stay in this tie.
"We were bitterly disappointed with our performance in the first half. We didn't play at all and to be fair VCD deserve to be in front, although I thought the referee made two decisions that definitely would
have seen the game end with both teams level."
HYTHE TOWN finally return to Kent League action and welcome a confident Tunbridge Wells side to Reachfields Stadium tomorrow.
Tunbridge Wells arrive on the back of an impressive 8-0 win over Hellenic League Division One East Holyport in the Second Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase, whilst Scott Porter’s side thumped their Kent League rivals VCD Athletic 5-1 at Oakwood last weekend.
Both sides are playing catch up in the Kent League and Porter told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that his players must forget on their seven-game FA Cup exploits, which ended with a 5-1 defeat at Hereford United in the First Round, and concentrate on winning the Kent League title.
"The most important game so far regarding the league as it's our first game in the league for nine weeks, which as a team we can't wait for,” said Porter.
"The boys know the league is the most important one. We have a few games in hand and if we win them we can go top but every manager would say they would rather have the points on the board but that's the
position we are in due to the FA Cup heroics so we know the task in hand.
"It's going to be a tough game against Tunbridge Wells as they're on a good run and full of confidence, so we need to be at our best to get anything out of the game."
LORDSWOOD have announced that their home game against Deal Town on Saturday 4th December will be FREE OF CHARGEE to all supporters.
“It’s the clubs way of saying thank you to our supporters who turn up week in week out - thank you each and every one!” said a club statement.
Meanwhile, the Martyn Grove club has received money towards a new generator to power its floodlights.
Councillors Alan Jarrett and David Wildey presented the club with £1500 from their ward funds.
Club Vice-Chairman Paul Caulfield told www.lordswoodfc.co.uk: “We hope that this can be the start of a great relationship between our local councillors and the club. It is a great start to the £3000 we need to pay for the new generator. Fingers crossed we can raise the remaining funds as soon as possible. We would appeal to all the club’s supporters and any local businesses that may be able to help with a donation to contact the club at lordscomm@live.co.uk”
The club has already secured the use of a new machine which they are hoping will be fitted and working soon.
Councillor Jarrett and Councillor Wildey watched Lordswood beat Hythe Town 2-0 in a Kent League Cup tie. Hythe chairman Paul Markland announced after the match that his club would also be making a donation to the Martyn Grove Generator appeal, out of the money that they have made during their FA Cup run.
MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Andy Ford - who takes his side to Harlow Town tomorrow in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round - was delighted to be able to announce this week that he has managed to secure to contract the signature of exciting 18 year old attacking midfielder Alex Flisher.
Flisher is yet another notable graduate from the club's successful youth system. He made a handful of first team appearances at the beginning of last season and was a member of the KCFA Under 18 team that won the FA County Youth Cup last term.
In the early part of this season Alex played a handful of games for Tunbridge Wells in the Kent League. After netting a few goals for The Wells he was swiftly recalled to Maidstone United and his impressive performances for The Stones since his return were enough to persuade Andy Ford to offer him a permanent deal.
The former Welling United manager told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk : "Hopefully Alex will now have the opportunity to continue his football development and education with Maidstone for the next season or so. He will then be in a position to have the skills and abilities to play football at a much higher level than the Ryman League."
MARGATE manager Iain O’Connell could not hide his disappointment following his side’s surprise 5-3 away defeat to basement side Croydon Athletic on Wednesday night, especially after they beat Ryman Premier League leaders Sutton United at Hartsdown Park last weekend.
It seems almost inconceivable that O’Connell started with the same 11 that beat the U’s on Saturday. But a disjointed display, individual errors and no response to the pace in the Croydon attack meant the Blues came up short on the night.
“I apologise to everyone who made the long journey to watch that because it was absolutely awful,” the Gate boss told www.margate-fc.com after the game.
The manager accused his players of lacking “mental strength” and complacency. “They’ve looked at that table, seen they’re bottom of the league and haven’t won the battles.
“They looked like they wanted it more than us all the way through the game.”
He also bemoaned poor decision-making on the pitch and bluntly described himself as feeling “totally disgusted” with Gate’s display. “I’m not going to stand for that; it won’t happen again” he said.
“It’s a fair result, they deserved it.”
Margate will welcome local rivals Folkestone Invicta to Hartsdown Park next Tuesday - if Neil Cugley’s side avoid drawing Eastleigh in the FA Carlsberg Trophy tomorrow.
SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Keith Levett says he was disappointed with his side’s 2-0 defeat to Erith Town last weekend.
“I thought the performance was not of the standard we have set ourselves over the last month or so but we were perhaps a little unlucky to come away with nothing,” Levett told www.sevenoakstownfc.org.
"In the first half we didn't impose ourselves on the opposition and they were the better team. we did have two very good chances early on and on another day if they go in the game would have been different.
"We conceded two poor goals at the wrong time just before the break. which gave Erith a chance to adjust tactically and defend deeper and although we controlled large parts of the second half we couldn’t manage to break them down.
"Sometimes you have to accept that we will not always reach the high standards we set and come back fighting in the next game.
"I am looking forward to the fixture against Herne Bay on Saturday, and I am sure all the players are as well.
"It's always good to play teams in the top half and we go there confident that when we perform to our potential, we can cause any team in this league problems."
STANSFELD Oxford & Bermondsey Club have unveiled former Cray Wanderers’ reserve team manager Mark Hanscombe as their new manager.
He arrives at the New Eltham based outfit with the club sitting in ninth place (out of 16) in the top-flight of the Vandanel Kent County League table.
“I got a call from the Stansfeld chairman Mr Ian Rooney earlier this week asking me to take over as manager, which I have accepted,” Hanscombe told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“I know what the club are capable of after winning the league last season and the team have apparently lost their way since their previous manager left a few weeks ago.
“But this is the sort of challenge that I love and will give it my best shot.”
He added: “I would like to thank the many people throughout football that have sent me messages wishing me well, especially those from my old club Cray Wanderers, they were a nice touch and meant a lot.”
THAMESMEAD TOWN assistant manager Hugo Langton says he wants three points from their trip to bleak Waltham Abbey tomorrow - to get the club’s promotion push back on track.
The Mead travel to Essex in seventh place in the Ryman League Division One North table.
And the former Ashford Town assistant manager told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: "Waltham Abbey is a tough place to go, especially as they have been on the up since we played them at home.
"We're looking forward to it as we do every game and we will focus on our best to win.
"There are seven or eight teams in and around it and we want to keep in amongst that pack, so consistency is now the key as we have some very tough games between now and the new year."
TONBRIDGE ANGELS assistant manager Alex O’Brien is relishing tomorrow’s FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round tie away to Welling United.
The Angels were knocked out by Jamie Day’s side at the same stage last season - but the former Chatham Town manager is looking forward to see how his players shape up against Blue Square Bet South opposition.
"It’s a huge game but one we relish as we have players who can play at the next level,” O’Brien told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
"If we have the right attitude and work ethic we can do well.
"Daysie has done wonders there and is a top lad. I'm sure it's going to be a great game but one we're definitely looking forward to the test."
WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day, meanwhile, is confident his side can progress - just like they did 12 months ago.
The Wings have suffered two straight defeats, against Ebbsfleet United and Havant & Waterlooville, and wants his side to bounce back against their Ryman Premier League neighbours.
He told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: "It will be a tough game tomorrow but one we should be looking to
hopefully win.
"We will approach it like any other game and look to get back on a winning run.
"Hopefully there will be a decent crowd for the game, which will see both sides play good football, with us coming out winners!"
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd