More doubt over future

UNITED FACE HIGH COURT DATE

In the week that Ashford United moved to within two games of Wembley, the off-the-field saga at Homelands has taken on a new twist with the revelation the Southern Counties East League club face a windingup order later this month.

It has been brought by Kent Attractions for a figure of around £110,000 and will be heard in the High Court on Monday, February 29.

Meanwhile, solicitors Mills and Reeve LLP have been granted a judgement debt of £106,000, with both sums relating to Don Crosbie regaining ownership of the club from (former business partner) Tony Betteridge.

V Bar managing director Glyn Jones, the owner of Homelands, said: “Kent Attractions says they will support what we are doing in our efforts to see the club survives in a solvent manner.

“It will also involve Mills and Reeves supporting it as well and also requires the co-operation of the directors Don and Jean Crosbie and (chief executive) Denise Peach.”

This is the second time in four months that a shadow has been cast over United’s future.

Back in November Mr Jones, representing V Bar Limited, said his firm had taken possession of the club after claiming they were owed £260,000 by United.

V Bar Limited says it is the lending arm of the Minotaur Group, which specialises in the restructuring of sports clubs and working men’s clubs. Mr Jones said they had loaned United the money to help them get their 3G pitch.

Meanwhile, on a brighter note, Michael Phillips has his heart set on Wembley after helping Ashford into the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.

Phillips scored United’s 87th-minute equaliser in a 3-2 replay win at Dunston UTS last Saturday.

An injury-time own goal completed their fightback from two goals down and has Phillips dreaming of a place in the final.

They travel to former Conference club Salisbury – managed by ex-Leicester striker Steve Claridge – in the last eight on February 20.

Phillips said: “I’ve got a good feeling we can go all the way. Look at the run we’ve had.

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