Gateshead must settle debts to avoid action
WINDING-UP PETITION IS DISMISSED BUT CONCERNS GROW FOR CLUB’S FUTURE
A WINDING-UP order against crisis club Gateshead was dismissed yesterday – but the Tynesiders’ debts must be paid in full as soon as possible to avoid further action.
The club had not responded to an HMRC winding-up petition for just over £20,000.
Gateshead settled a previous HMRC winding-up petition in January for £11,000 when star striker Scott Boden was sold to Chesterfield for £12,000.
The current situation is much more serious with the club’s future in doubt.
The National League hold a £200,000 bond for Gateshead, whose squad is down to 16 players. All players and staff have been paid ahead of Saturday’s home game against Barnet.
A club statement said: “The court case regarding Gateshead Fooball Club’s winding-up order has been dismissed, however the club still need to make payment in full as soon as possible to prevent further action from being taken.” Gateshead had earlier stated they had been “speaking regularly with HMRC in order to settle the debts. This equates to £20,223.61.
“We are also speaking to the National League in order to release funds from our £200,000 bond in order to settle these debts and ensure the order goes no further.” Gateshead’s chief financial advisor Joseph Cala, meanwhile, has fired a warning shot ahead of an important supporters meeting tonight. Gateshead FC Supporters Club is holding what promises to be a lively get-together for concerned fans at 7pm tonight at Pelaw Social Club. National fans organisation Supporters Direct will be in attendance with Cala and the club’s current predicament at the forefront of discussions.
While Gateshead’s Indian owner Dr Ranjan Varghese has only visited the club three times, Cala is in charge of day-to-day operations.
And it is the American-based businessman who is bearing the brunt of the fans’ vitriol.
There are growing concerns about the club’s future viability under the stewardship of the overseas pair.
Cala told the Chronicle: “We generate very low revenue and don’t have many sponsors, so it’s a miracle where we are.
“If the fans want to be against the owners that is their freedom, but eventually they will affect the morale of the players and the coach.
“It’s easy to criticise, especially when the money is coming out of someone else’s pocket.
“Ranjan loves the club very much, but he gets upset when he reads the comments of fans on social media. I have asked him to please stop reading them. We are in a play-off position – what more do they want ?”
Another important meeting for Gateshead takes place today with the National League Board convening.
Gateshead are meant to have submitted details of their financial position for scrutiny.
The club has been under an embargo for most of the season and is trying to get a £200,000 bond back.
“We endorse the embargo and it was a perfect decision by the league to implement it,” said Cala.
“There’s two months left and the league hold our £200,000. After our expenses from now until the end of the season there will be a surplus of around £90,000.
“We are asking the league to lift the embargo so that we can sign everyone for the future.”
With all the disturbing offfield goings-on the future of a club that graced the Football League for 30 years has been put
in sharp focus.
We generate very low revenue and don’t have many sponsors, so it’s a miracle where we are. Joseph Cala