We have now received formal notice from the CVA supervisor on the position regarding Modification 5. We are required to pay over the proportion of the proceeds from the 2002/3 FA Cup run by 31st December 2004.

Together with an assessment arising from an inspection of the Club’s records by the VAT Office dating back to 2001 and other obligations arising from reduced gate receipts this season, we have to find £48,000 by the end of this year or face certain extinction.

The Supporters Trust and the fans on the terraces have already shown their support by selling out the forthcoming David Elleray evening while the public turned out in their numbers at the Fireworks display earlier this month.

We are now appealing to the businesses in the area to come forward and support the Club at its lowest ebb – if they feel it is worth fighting for. We at the Club feel it is; with all it represents in the community and what it has on offer to all ages from the under-8s to the semi-professional 1st team.

Several businesses have supported the Club for many years and contributed greatly towards the Club’s survival. The list is long, but many can be identified by the boards around the ground and the advertisements inside the match day programmes.

More recently, Hoverspeed became main sponsors and former chairman and local businessman, Jim Gleeson, wrote off a considerable debt.

With this in mind we have formed a fighting fund, which will be operated by Mr John Parsons (a retired local businessman who has no connection to the club other than as a supporter). No money will be touched by the club until sufficient funds have been raised to clear these obligations. Should this fail, then all monies will be returned untouched to the donors.