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D-day for club in tax debt dispute

Keith Piper with plans for the new ground
Keith Piper with plans for the new ground

Directors at Margate FC will find out today whether a voluntary arrangement has been accepted as a solution to money owed by the club to the taxman.

However, under Football Association rules, the club would automatically be stripped of 10 points if the Company Voluntary Arrangement is approved by HM Revenue and Customs.

Chairman Keith Piper said last week there "seems to be no alternative" to the CVA, but also warned there is no certainty the offer will be accepted.

The club ran up a £200,000 debt when it had a ground share arrangement. Although £120,000 was paid off last year the wrangle is over £85,000.

The proposed CVA is for a fixed period of one year and carries an undertaking from Margate FC's development partners that the HMRC debt would be paid in full, once redevelopment on the Hartsdown Road ground commences.

If HMRC won't agree with the arrangement the dispute could go before a judge.

Mr Piper's family has pledged £65,000 to keep the club going until work starts on the new ground in March.

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