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TAUNTON

Football fans expect turnover during the transfer window but none quite as drastic as at non-league Taunton Town, who have seen six first-team players leave in just seven days this month.

Financial issues have blighted the National League South side this campaign leading to a mass exodus.

The club have also plummeted down the table to 19th and have only one win in their past 12 league games.

"It's a really tough situation, I'm not going to sugar coat it or say that everyone's happy and everyone's cheerful," captain Nick Grimes told BBC Radio Bristol following their 1-0 loss to neighbours Yeovil on Tuesday.

"I don't begrudge the ones for going, a lot of them have gone onto full-time contracts, and clubs and deals that they're going to progress and go higher up the football pyramid.

"Now, more than ever, we've got to stick together, ride it out is all we can do, hoping there's a light at the end of the tunnel really.

"We've had one of the tightest-knit groups I've ever been part of and we've lost half of that in the last week so it's tough, we've got a lot of new faces in the changing room."

The Somerset club are in their second term in the sixth tier, having won promotion to that level in 2021-22 for the first time in their history.

Having started the campaign with only one loss during their first 11 matches that put them top of the table at the end of September, things have spiralled downwards since.

Chairman Kevin Sturmey said in a statement last Friday that the club is going through a "well documented" tough time, although he confirmed that all player wages were paid and up to date.

"Any business would struggle with 10% income and 100% expenditure for the months of October, November and December," he said.

"Not receiving a significant amount of sponsorship money which we had built into our cashflow has also not helped."

A number of Taunton's matches were postponed in the autumn because of flooding, while the club enjoyed runs in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy last season that boosted finances - something missing this campaign.

However, a statement released by players last Friday via goalkeeper Lloyd Irish pointed to wider troubles.

"Fundamental failures at the very top of the club [are] leading to a situation where the club is unsustainable and the group of players has had to be broken apart," their statement said.

'Turning out a competitive side'
The club have this week announced a new sponsor and partnership deal, while former player Paul West was also appointed to the board as a football advisor.

In a statement to the BBC, Sturmey said he wanted to "focus on the positives" moving forward.

Head of football Rob Dray said it had been a "difficult time" with the club "firefighting at the moment day-by-day".

Two players were brought in on loan from Bristol City on Monday although Dray said they are "restricted" with what they can do despite needing more.

"We're getting a competitive side out, it [loss to Yeovil] showed we're competitive after losing so many and having so many issues," Dray said.

"Now we need to build a player or two and find some quality from somewhere on a very restricted budget."

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NUNEATON

Nuneaton Borough are facing liquidation after withdrawing from Southern League Premier Division Central.

The club said it faced "insurmountable challenges in maintaining operations" and was unable to continue trading.

A statement added they had been told an offer to buy their former ground, Liberty Way, would not be considered and no new lease would be given.

"Armed with this information our future investors have had to withdraw any future support," the statement said.

"Furthermore, without additional investment or new investors to provide financial support, the club is unable to continue trading.

"In light of these circumstances, we are now considering the liquidation process.

"This decision comes with a heavy heart, and we deeply appreciate the unwavering support from our loyal fans and the football community during this challenging time."

On 23 November it was announced that DA Capital director David Anderson had taken control of the club, alongside Nick Thompson and Robert Tidmarsh.

But last month a statement was released appealing for new owners to secure the club's future.

Seventh-tier Nuneaton moved to Liberty Way, previously owned by Nuneaton Rugby Club, after leaving Manor Park in 2007 and the stadium has been owned by Arden Tigress since 2019.

They were served with an eviction notice over rent arrears in October, since when they have played home games at Stratford Town and Barwell, 10 miles away.

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KENDAL

A non-league football team and 240 of their fans have been left stranded on the Isle of Man due to Storm Isha.

Kendal Town FC and their supporters flew to the island for the team’s match against FC Isle of Man on 20 January.

But most of those who had travelled for the match had their return flights cancelled by EasyJet due to bad weather, said Michael O’Neill, the club's chairman.

EasyJet said it had given the team the option to rebook or get a refund.

Most of those who travelled to the match had booked return flights for 21 January, via the airline, to either Liverpool or Manchester airport, said Mr O'Neill.

After flights were cancelled due to the storm, passengers were given the option to travel on Loganair flights departing this week at no extra cost.

But there were not many spaces available on these flights, claims Mr O’Neill.

'Very far'
The next EasyJet flight from the Isle of Man to Liverpool is Thursday, whereas the next flight to Manchester is Friday.

Mr O'Neill said the airline had offered him a flight to Luton Airport.

“But Luton is very far and my car is parked at Liverpool Airport,” he said.

Others were taking the ferry to get off the island, Mr O'Neill said.

But that means many still have to go to Liverpool or Manchester airports to pick up their cars.

A spokesman for EasyJet said: “We did all possible to minimise the impact of the weather and provided the team with options to rebook, including with other airlines, or receive a refund, as well as hotel accommodation and meals.

"However, the group chose to source their own accommodation which we will be reimbursing.

“While this was outside of our control we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.

"We are in contact with the team to assist them with alternative travel arrangements to help them return home as soon as possible.”

Kendal Town FC supporter Philip Walker, who is one of those stuck on the island, told BBC Radio 5 Live that EasyJet had booked some families into hotels on the island.

But Mr O’Neill said that EasyJet had not been clear about whether they would reimburse passengers for the cost of alternative transport and extra hotel costs.

"Some people are on a really strict budget," he said.

The club has been financially helping those struggling with the cost of alternative transport back home, said Mr O'Neill.

“People have jobs they need to get back to,” he said.

Mr O’Neill also praised the Isle of Man FA for giving Kendal fans access to a team doctor.

Many of the fans are elderly and did not bring enough medication to cover the extra night's stay on the island, he said.

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TONIGHTS POSTPONEMENTS FROM THE NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE

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TRURO

Truro City will play their remaining National League South home games this season 125 miles away, at Taunton Town.

The Cornish side had been playing at Plymouth Parkway's Bolitho Park ground this season, but a series of postponements has led them to find a new venue for the rest of the campaign.

Truro drew 0-0 at league rivals Taunton on Tuesday, in a fixture that was reversed in order to get it played.

City are due to move to a new ground in Truro in the summer.

The White Tigers have not played a competitive game in Truro, or even Cornwall, since October 2020 - after work began to build a new supermarket on the site of their former home at Treyew Road.

Taunton's Wordsworth Drive ground will be Truro's third new 'home' venue in the past six years, having also spent time groundsharing with Torquay United in 2018 - which was a round trip of about 200 miles for each home game.

But the trip from Cornwall to Somerset will be the longest Truro fans have had to endure for home matches.

2,760 'away' fans as Truro City 'host' Torquay United
Truro had been sharing with Southern League Premier South side Plymouth Parkway since January 2021 - a mere 105-mile round trip to the next county, as opposed to a journey over two county borders.

Saturday's game with Eastbourne Borough will be Truro's first home match staged at Taunton, but Tuesday's meeting with Dover Athletic has been postponed as it clashes with Taunton's own home game against Torquay United.

"This decision to move was not made lightly, and we recognise that in some ways it makes it even more difficult for our incredibly loyal supporters to be with us in our last matches outside Cornwall," a Truro club statement read.

"However, we consider that this temporary arrangement will help the club to best meet our remaining matchday commitments for this season.

"The club would like to place on record our considerable thanks to the National League for their support since the takeover. We'd also like to thank Taunton Town, who have generously allowed us to see out our last few months in exile at their storied facility."

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TELFORD

A US-based consortium, including Shropshire-born film producer Chris Ball, has purchased a 21% share in non-league club AFC Telford United.

It comes two years after Walter Gleeson's Highclear Investments also bought a significant share of the club.

Interim chairman Ian Dosser said the investment "materially adds to the sustainability of AFC Telford".

The club are currently fourth in the Southern Central Premier League, having been relegated last season.

The Bucks were formed by a Supporters' Trust in 2004 following the liquidation of the former Telford United.

Ball, who is among 15 investors in the consortium, has been a fan of the cub since they were known as Wellington Town.

"Being a Shropshire lad and a huge football fan, I have been a lifelong supporter of AFC Telford United," Ball said in a club statement.

"I am thrilled, therefore, to have been able to put together a group of close friends, who all love football, to make an investment in the club."

The Hollywood film magnate made his name producing a number of blockbuster hits such as Memento (2000), The Prestige (2006) and Donnie Darko (2001).

Ball, a former banker, co-founded Wrekin Hill Entertainment in 2010, named after the famous geographical landmark near his hometown of Wellington.

Since AFC Telford United's reformation at the eighth tier of English football, they have reached the top tier of non-league twice, in 2011 and 2014, but have not returned since relegation in 2015.

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TRURO
At the rate it's going they will be playing home games in Scotland

Truro City's home game with Taunton Town on Saturday will be played 195 miles away at Gloucester City.

The National League South side recently moved from playing games at Plymouth Parkway to Taunton after a series of postponements due to wet weather.

But Taunton's ground has also been unplayable in recent weeks, leading to a near 400-mile round trip from the Cornish capital to Gloucester.

Truro are set to return home next season at a planned new ground.

The White Tigers have had four home games postponed in February.

They have not played a competitive game in Truro, or even Cornwall, since October 2020 - after work began to build a new supermarket on the site of their former home at Treyew Road.

Gloucester's Meadow Park - which hosts National League North games - will be Truro's fourth new 'home' venue in the past six years, having also spent time ground-sharing with Torquay United in 2018 - which was a round trip of about 200 miles for each home game.

"We apologise to our loyal supporters for this move further away from Truro for a home game, but given the wet weather that has seen many games postponed across all levels of football in the National League system recently, playing matches at a home venue is paramount for the club currently," a Truro City statement read.

"The club thank Taunton Town for their understanding and support in moving this game.

"Truro City's decision also aids Taunton in their home fixture fulfilment for the rest of this current campaign."

Truro are a point above the bottom four in National League South, but have four or five games in hand on the teams immediately above them.

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[/b]TAUNTON[/b]

aunton Town is unable to pay its players and staff their full February wages due to deepening "financial challenges".

The National League South club blamed a further loss of income on heavy rain, which led to five home fixtures being postponed in February and March.

A club statement said it was also unable to meet its tax payment commitments to HMRC.

Taunton were issued a winding-up petition in January over unpaid debts.

They are in their second season in the sixth tier and sit 21st in the table, without a league win in 14 games.

The club said players would be paid "an affordable percentage" of their wage, with the difference paid as soon as they are able.

However, the remainder of the club's staff have not been paid at all.

"Having already exhausted payment plan options with the Revenue, another winding up order and league transfer embargo could be unavoidable," the statement added.

"The club will endeavour to continue to provide updates on the situation when we can."

National League South club loses six players in a week
Taunton director Carl Gazzard - who came into the club in January - said there has been a "snowballing effect" that has led to this point.

"We made every single conceivable effort to put all our funds back to HMRC to clear the petition [in January] because the last thing we wanted is having our bank accounts frozen and not being able to trade in any description," he told BBC Radio Somerset.

"Doing that, with the postponement of games, has meant that there's a cash shortfall. You can see where the snowballing effect comes to this.

"We're in a position now where those games in the last month have probably cost the club, rough estimates, £30,000-£35,000. In a club in our current position that's just not a figure we can afford to lose."

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WORTHING

Plans to upgrade a National League South team's stadium have been approved.

Worthing FC, who finished in the play-offs this season, plan to get a new, covered, north grandstand at their stadium, Woodside Road.

The proposals, which were approved by Worthing Borough Council, also include a new toilet, a food and drink building in the northwest corner of the ground and new roof coverings for the west stand and the uncovered section of the northeast stand.

Roof coverings over the west terrace were removed due to safety concerns in March 2023, and the plans seek to replace them with a larger covering.

The north stand is expected to increase in maximum capacity from 940 people to about 1,818, with five disabled seats.

A gantry will also be installed in the centre of the stand for TV crews.

Several conditions were also approved for the plans, including securing disabled parking and further traffic surveys should the club secure its promotion.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said more than 20 objections were lodged by residents, mostly concerning overdevelopment, loss of parking and increased traffic congestion as a result of potentially larger crowds.

In the plans, the club said about 70% of home fans would get to games via public transport, with the rest arriving by car.

It added many fans meet up beforehand to then walk to the venue and that away fans might stay the night in the town to do the same.

Three letters of support were also submitted, stating more spectators would help nearby businesses and put Worthing "on the map".