New owner hands Fleet green light

By Jon Couch

DELAYED KICK-OFF: Ebbsfleet United are hoping to finally begin their league campaign on Saturday

PICTURE: Alamy

Ebbsfleet United have paid their tax bill after a new owner finally completed his takeover of the club.

But it still wasn’t enough to satisfy the National League who extended Fleet’s suspension for a further seven days, and into a fourth game, with yesterday’s scheduled visit of AFC Totton the latest to be postponed.

The Kent club have been subject to a winding up petition by HM Revenue and Customs [HMRC] with outstanding debts of around £150,000.

But this week Fleet said the all creditors had now been paid after unveiling John O’Leary as the club’s new owner.

“Ebbsfleet United can confirm that full transfer of control of the club to Mr John O’Leary has been completed,” a statement read. “Following the transfer of control, funds have been transferred to Ebbsfleet United FC to settle HMRC and football creditors.”

News of the takeover came just before the National League announced on Wednesday that the club’s suspension would not been lifted.

Manager Josh Wright now expects the club to finally kick-off their National League South campaign at Farnborough on Saturday, subject to the suspension being lifted.

Explaining the extension of Fleet’s suspension, a league statement read: “The National League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee convened this morning to further consider compliance by Ebbsfleet United FC with National League rules and regulations, and the suspension of the club in particular. The meeting was to consider the club’s response.

“The committee noted that debt to HMRC for PAYE arrears remained outstanding and the winding up order was still in place.

“The committee noted information provided to it around recent change in ownership of the club, and the financial position of the club, including the

ability for the club under new ownership to meet the club’s financial obligations for the 2026/27 season as required under rules and regulations.

“Following careful consideration, the committee has taken the decision under applicable regulations to continue the suspension of Ebbsfleet United FC, with a further review of the position to be undertaken by the Committee on Wednesday August 26, with a deadline for provision of information of 5pm on Tuesday August 25.

“The club remains subject to an embargo.”

Accepting the decision, Ebbsfleet said: “The National League have acknowledged the takeover as being a positive step. The past week has been challenging in terms of bringing the transfer of ownership to fruition on a faster timeline than was originally planned for, following the original suspension and deadline imposed by the league.

“The transaction finally took place only after 4.30pm yesterday (Tuesday) leaving an incredibly short timeline for turnaround once the new ownership was made official.

“The transfer of funds was made as required; however, that has not been able to clear in time, prior to the league meeting today.

“That will be addressed along with the provision of more detailed responses and additional information as requested by the League. This response will address the outstanding items for the League within the specified timeframes.”

Meanwhile, Ebbsfleet’s new owners have been dealt a further blow after plans for a new 8,000-seater stadium on their Stonebridge Road site, along with 3,500 new homes, were rejected by government officials over concerns about lead pollution, jobs and the potential loss of the safeguarded Robins Wharf.