Harlow Town FC survives winding-up petition

HARLOW Town FC has survived a winding-up petition at London’s High Court after HM Revenue & Customs confirmed the club had paid off its tax debts.

Catherine Addy, counsel for HMRC, told Mr Registrar Derrett that the amount outstanding had been paid in full and asked the judge to dismiss the petition with an order that the Ryman League Division One side pay HMRC’s costs.

Last month HTFC co-owner Tommy Cunningham had moved to reassure supporters the club would not be plunged into administration by the taxman and pledged to "resolve the issue" before yesterday's (Monday, November 14) High Court hearing.

Speaking to the Star in October he said: "Since we’ve taken over we’ve had to deal with a lot of problems and have worked extremely hard to bring stability and success to the club.

"There’s absolutely no need for anyone to worry about the club going into administration because we will quite simply not let that happen."

It was not the first time the Hawks had fallen foul of the taxman in recent years. Before Mr Cunningham and business partner John Barnett took over in February last year the club escaped liquidation after entering a Company Voluntary Agreement giving it more time to pay off its creditors.

It had been forced into the compromise deal after being hit by a winding-up petition filed by HMRC over unpaid taxes amounting to £42,000.

Had the club been compulsorily wound up on Monday, the order would have effectively handed over the Hawks’ affairs to an Official Receiver.

Their job would then have been to ensure that debts were paid off by selling all available assets before bringing business to a close.