‘We will sort all this out’

EBBSFLEET SUSPENSION SHOCK

Ebbsfleet United say they are shocked to have been slapped with a suspension by the National League just two days before the big kick-off – but believe they can rectify the situation swiftly.

By Neil Harvey

WAITING GAME: Ebbsfleet United’s start to the season has been delayed

PICTURE: Alamy

The National League South side have been told they can’t play their opening three games until they satisfy the league’s Compliance and Licensing Committee they can fulfil their financial obligations for the 2026-27 season.

The 2008 FA Trophy winners have until 5pm on Tuesday, August 18 to come up with the answers needed.

It means their opener at Slough, Saturday’s home derby with Folkestone Invicta and the following Monday’s trip to Chelmsford have been postponed.

Fleet were hit with an embargo on July 30 but say they were caught out by Thursday’s announcement.

The Kent outfit say their approved takeover by a consortium led by businessman John O’Leary is close to completion.

But it’s the latest blow after being issued with a winding-up petition for money owed to the tax man as well as the government throwing out the Northfleet Harbourside project that included a new stadium for the club. In a statement, they said:

“Obviously, for our playing group, management, staff and, most importantly, supporters, this has come as a shock and is extremely upsetting.

“The League wrote to the club owners last week in response to the HMRC winding-up petition and requested assurances around the debt and other liabilities and asked for a response by midday yesterday (August 5).

Concerns

“We had been advised these debts would be satisfied in time and our statement of August 4 outlined that.

“The owners’ letter of response to the League yesterday proposed the HMRC debt would be cleared by the end of August once a full transfer of ownership had taken place and the League in their letter this morning have highlighted that inconsistency in undertakings by the ownership.

“The League’s letter also identifies their concerns around the club’s budgeting for the coming season and debt position, although that information was presented on July 10 with the club’s budget pack to the League within compliant timelines.

“Vetting and financial checks for the new proposed ownership and takeover have taken place over the last 12 months and were approved by the League on May 1 in writing.

“However, with the recent overturning of the Northfleet Harbourside development, the League have also raised concerns around the club’s financial viability, debt that has been placed into the club and how it is treated.

Understanding

“The League have provided the owners until 10am on August 19 to rectify its position and demonstrate this to the League.

“Obviously our players, staff and supporters have taken a number of blows in the last week, none of which is within their control or a result of their work or actions, and we ask for understanding and care during this time while the ownership situation is solved.

“Everyone has worked so hard and completed an excellent pre-season and we look forward to this being rectified and demonstrating the results of that hard work throughout the season.”

The National League, who took similar action with Morecambe at the start of last season, said: “One significant issue is settlement of PAYE liabilities dating back to April 2026, which led to HM Revenue & Customs reportedly issuing a winding-up petition against the club. The committee considered ongoing non-compliance, in particular under Appendix H of the National League Financial Reporting Initiative.

“Appendix D Clause 4.3 of the National League Financial Reporting Initiative relates to a club’s ongoing obligations in relation to its financial position.

“The committee determined that these obligations are not met to its satisfaction, specifically regarding the club’s ability to meet its financial obligations throughout the 2026-27 season.

“Following careful consideration, the committee has taken the decision under applicable regulations to suspend Ebbsfleet United FC, with a review to be undertaken by the committee on August 19. As a result of suspension, at this time, the club will not be able to fulfil the opening three fixtures of the coming season.

“A detailed letter has been issued to the club today, setting out the committee’s decision. Ebbsfleet United FC has until 5.00pm on Tuesday, August 18 to provide satisfactory evidence that its obligations have been and will be met in accordance with applicable regulations.

“The club remains subject to embargo until such time as the committee is satisfied relevant matters have been resolved.”