Further financial woe for struggling Taunton

PLAYERS and staff at Taunton Town will not receive all of their February wages on time – with a string of postponements worsening financial woes at the Somerset club, writes Keith Watson.

Taunton, who are in the National League South relegation zone but have numerous games in hand on the teams around them, said in a statement that the club was also unable to meet current tax payment commitments to HMRC. The club was handed a winding-up petition in January over unpaid debts.

The situation has taken another turn for the worse over the past month or so with five home fixtures being postponed, and therefore no cash coming into the club.

Taunton had looked to have found a new source of income by hosting Truro City home games, but they too have been beaten by the weather and will today play their second ‘home’ game in a row at Gloucester City’s TigerTurf Stadium.

The Somerset club insisted their players would be paid “an affordable percentage” of their wage, with the difference to be paid as soon as the club was able. However, other club staff have not been paid at all.

The Taunton statement went on: “Having already exhausted payment plan options with the Revenue, another winding up order and league transfer embargo could be unavoidable. The club will endeavour to continue to provide updates on the situation when we can.”

The struggling Peacocks have an away match at high-flying Worthing this afternoon.

Elsewhere in the National League South, table-toppers Yeovil will hope to at least maintain their 12-point lead at the summit with Welling – just one place above the drop zone – the visitors to Huish Park this afternoon.

Sixth-placed Bath City will try to end their three-match winless run at home to mid-table Farnborough, while Weston-super-Mare play host to basement side Dover, and there is a trip to Hampton & Richmond for Chippenham.

In the National League North, Hereford host their fellow play-off hopefuls Chorley, while Gloucester City – eight points below the safety line – are at home to Boston.