By Rhod Mitchell, West Briton
The crisis enveloping Truro City deepened this morning when the 10am deadline for the players to be paid passed without any funds being deposited in the squad's bank accounts.
Last week, the players gave 14 days' notice of terminating their contracts, unless they were paid by this morning.
That notice expires next Friday , the day before City's first Blue Square Bet South game at Billericay Town.
And it raises the prospect that if the game does go ahead, City will be forced to field a side made up virtually of reserve team players.
It also surely leaves the position of player-manager Lee Hodges in massive doubt.
One unnamed player described the situation as a "total and utter farce".
He said: "I am truly gutted I won't be wearing the shirt again."
With no news from the club or chairman Kevin Heaney on what is happening, fans have been left totally in the dark, leaving many angry and frustrated.
Who even owns the club is unclear with London investors rumoured to have taken control but the lack of information is only adding to the gloom surrounding Treyew Road.
On Twitter, City skipper Jake Ash, who confirmed the players had not been paid, said: "Since last Thursday TCFC have contacted me once, to tell me to tell the players they aren't allowed to play for anyone else while contracted."
But supporters will now be wondering if its finally the end of the road.
08 August 2012
All quiet at Treyew Road
With the mass of information, gossip and hearsay, its difficult to decipher exactly what is happening at our beloved club. In fact, on the contrary, it would now appear that there's not a lot happening with tomorrow's deadline looming ever closer. A stalemate and "do-nothing" attitude seems to be prevailing at Treyew Road. There are certainly no statements eminating from within to keep the fans informed.
Which leads to gossip. As far as we know, the unknown investment company (presumably a developer) has paid off the seven-figure mortgages on the ground (which were presumably raised to pay the players' wages and other outstanding debts), the outstanding wage bill from last year of some £90k has been paid by the investment company and the legal fees to represent the club at recent court appearances for unpaid taxes has also been paid.
The stumbling block seems to be the promised monthly payments to keep the club afloat. Presumably these regular payments were to maintain the club at its normal standard of working existence, until a new home can be found, either until the Stadium for Cornwall rears its head again or until any potential new owners declared their interest. For some reason only known to the current owners, their reluctance to sign over the Club in its entirety is preventing the much-needed flow of cash. This is surely damaging everything built over the last seven years. Indeed, the management have been quoted as saying that Step 7 football is acceptable, as long as the share is retained. This short-sighted attitude does not bode well for the future.
TruroFans urges the management to see sense and sign over their share in the Club. Truro City FC will continue to flourish under the guidance of the "most dynamic CEO" in Mark Woolcock and his Executive Committee.
Which leads to gossip. As far as we know, the unknown investment company (presumably a developer) has paid off the seven-figure mortgages on the ground (which were presumably raised to pay the players' wages and other outstanding debts), the outstanding wage bill from last year of some £90k has been paid by the investment company and the legal fees to represent the club at recent court appearances for unpaid taxes has also been paid.
The stumbling block seems to be the promised monthly payments to keep the club afloat. Presumably these regular payments were to maintain the club at its normal standard of working existence, until a new home can be found, either until the Stadium for Cornwall rears its head again or until any potential new owners declared their interest. For some reason only known to the current owners, their reluctance to sign over the Club in its entirety is preventing the much-needed flow of cash. This is surely damaging everything built over the last seven years. Indeed, the management have been quoted as saying that Step 7 football is acceptable, as long as the share is retained. This short-sighted attitude does not bode well for the future.
TruroFans urges the management to see sense and sign over their share in the Club. Truro City FC will continue to flourish under the guidance of the "most dynamic CEO" in Mark Woolcock and his Executive Committee.
06 August 2012
"No ultimatum from players," says Truro City captain Jake Ash
Source: Simon Larkins, Falmouth Packet LINK
Truro City captain Jake Ash has said the players are 'devastated' by the current situation at the club and stated that they have not issued an ultimatum.
The club is currently in the middle of financial turmoil, with the players having not been paid and with little or no funds available.
The club have had a metoric rise up the non-league football ladder in recent seasons, gaining five promotions from the South Western League to the Conference South.
However, a difficult last season saw the club appear in High Court over unpaid tax bills and issued with a ttranfer emabargo.
Chairman Kevin Heaney is reportedly to be in talks with investors in London, but if a deal is not struck by 10am on Thursday, to pay the players, it could see the club in serious trouble.
Ash, said: "We are all absolutely devastated that this situation has arose and the club finds itself in such peril. It has been reported the players have issued some kind of ‘ultimatum’, but that isn’t the case.
"Without any funds at all, which is what we are being told is very much the likelihood, the club wouldn’t survive whether we as players were there or not.
"Even if the club spent nothing on players wages, the operating costs to get to places like Dover and Chelmsford on a weekly basis are huge. If the money isn’t there for players, it won’t be there for anything or anyone.
"As players we have allowed the club to register us all, without allowing this the club would have been charged and probably thrown out of the league. This has bought the club and the investors a week to try to sort out whatever their differences are in order for the club to continue operating at this level. Obviously if that can’t happen it will be incredibly sad and all the hard work that so many good lads have put in will, in essence, have been a complete waste of time."
"Whatever happens, I know all the players want to thank the supporters for some truly kind words and gestures since this news broke. We can only all hope, that by the time they read this, something will have been sorted and we can all look forward to pulling on the shirt and repaying them on the pitch.”
Truro City captain Jake Ash has said the players are 'devastated' by the current situation at the club and stated that they have not issued an ultimatum.
 |
| Jake Ash after the Falmouth game |
The club have had a metoric rise up the non-league football ladder in recent seasons, gaining five promotions from the South Western League to the Conference South.
However, a difficult last season saw the club appear in High Court over unpaid tax bills and issued with a ttranfer emabargo.
Ash, said: "We are all absolutely devastated that this situation has arose and the club finds itself in such peril. It has been reported the players have issued some kind of ‘ultimatum’, but that isn’t the case.
"Without any funds at all, which is what we are being told is very much the likelihood, the club wouldn’t survive whether we as players were there or not.
"Even if the club spent nothing on players wages, the operating costs to get to places like Dover and Chelmsford on a weekly basis are huge. If the money isn’t there for players, it won’t be there for anything or anyone.
"As players we have allowed the club to register us all, without allowing this the club would have been charged and probably thrown out of the league. This has bought the club and the investors a week to try to sort out whatever their differences are in order for the club to continue operating at this level. Obviously if that can’t happen it will be incredibly sad and all the hard work that so many good lads have put in will, in essence, have been a complete waste of time."
"Whatever happens, I know all the players want to thank the supporters for some truly kind words and gestures since this news broke. We can only all hope, that by the time they read this, something will have been sorted and we can all look forward to pulling on the shirt and repaying them on the pitch.”
St Blazey friendly cancelled
No surprise really, but today we have heard officially that the St Blazey game has been cancelled.
03 August 2012
What (allegedly) happened was...
What (allegedly) happened was...
These are the events (as I'm led to believe):
The investors paid off the mortgages Heaney raised against the club following Lloyds' 'calling in' of the debt.
Other debts have also been settled by the investment company.
A substantial offer was (and still is) on the table from the investors for Heaney to accept and leave the Club.
Heaney accepted this offer.
As part of the agreement, Heaney's shares in the club were to be signed over to the investment company.
They, in turn, were happy to sign them over to Mark Woolcock.
Heaney had issues with this and wanted them to be assigned to Webb (presumably so he could still play puppet master).
Investment company weren't happy with this (understandably!) and so compromise was reached whereby Mark Woolcock & Webb would hold the shares equally.
Heaney resigned as a Director on Friday 21st July, leaving Mark Woolcock as the sole Director.
Mark Woolcock formed an Executive Committee to take the Club forward.
Heaney, on discovering this (through Webb) then suspended Mark Woolcock on Wednesday 25th July.
On Friday 27th July Webb (presumably bored at the lack of action at Treyew Road) decides to set fire to all the crap he's 'fly-tipped' behind the Carlsberg Stand - which comprises of asbestos sheeting - setting the back of the stand alight in the process. tries to cover the mess with old 'TCFC - Truck Stop' signs. Could be the reason for the players' sudden illness this Tuesday! Wink
Back to serious business: Webb (NOT a Director) then formed another Committee on Monday 30th July. During this meeting he stated that he had told all the members of the Executive Committee that they had been stood down. In fact, he had not communicated this to them, and hadn't even contacted all 6 of them.
Heaney now refuses to relinquish his share in the Club.
Webb tells the Management & players on 2nd August that Heaney "would rather see the Club in Step 7 than give up his share in the club."
Players then submit league registrations, but also submit 14 days notice to the Club.
If outstanding monies are not paid by 10pm Thursday 10th August then players will exercise their right to leave the Club.
CCarter.
These are the events (as I'm led to believe):
The investors paid off the mortgages Heaney raised against the club following Lloyds' 'calling in' of the debt.
Other debts have also been settled by the investment company.
A substantial offer was (and still is) on the table from the investors for Heaney to accept and leave the Club.
Heaney accepted this offer.
As part of the agreement, Heaney's shares in the club were to be signed over to the investment company.
They, in turn, were happy to sign them over to Mark Woolcock.
Heaney had issues with this and wanted them to be assigned to Webb (presumably so he could still play puppet master).
Investment company weren't happy with this (understandably!) and so compromise was reached whereby Mark Woolcock & Webb would hold the shares equally.
Heaney resigned as a Director on Friday 21st July, leaving Mark Woolcock as the sole Director.
Mark Woolcock formed an Executive Committee to take the Club forward.
Heaney, on discovering this (through Webb) then suspended Mark Woolcock on Wednesday 25th July.
On Friday 27th July Webb (presumably bored at the lack of action at Treyew Road) decides to set fire to all the crap he's 'fly-tipped' behind the Carlsberg Stand - which comprises of asbestos sheeting - setting the back of the stand alight in the process. tries to cover the mess with old 'TCFC - Truck Stop' signs. Could be the reason for the players' sudden illness this Tuesday! Wink
Back to serious business: Webb (NOT a Director) then formed another Committee on Monday 30th July. During this meeting he stated that he had told all the members of the Executive Committee that they had been stood down. In fact, he had not communicated this to them, and hadn't even contacted all 6 of them.
Heaney now refuses to relinquish his share in the Club.
Webb tells the Management & players on 2nd August that Heaney "would rather see the Club in Step 7 than give up his share in the club."
Players then submit league registrations, but also submit 14 days notice to the Club.
If outstanding monies are not paid by 10pm Thursday 10th August then players will exercise their right to leave the Club.
CCarter.
The mother of all fiasco's
The complete Truro City first team and coaching staff met with vice chairman Chris Webb last night at Tregye, Truro to ask for something simple - their wages...again. In what must be the saddest day in the club's history, the players have all but decided enough is enough. A deadline has been issued to the management to pay up by next Thursday 10am. If nothing is forthcoming, the players will walk. And the players even had the decency to sign their contracts (with get out clause) thus ensuring the club retains its golden share in the Conference South.
How the management can let this matter descend in to utter chaos is beyond belief. On a busy night on Twitter, some of the players have voiced their opinions, and it makes for very sad reading:
Arran Pugh@sickgiraffepugh
How the management can let this matter descend in to utter chaos is beyond belief. On a busy night on Twitter, some of the players have voiced their opinions, and it makes for very sad reading:
Arran Pugh
Lying in bed gutted tonight...was looking forward to another great season, at a fantastic club with top friends on and off the pitch.
Tim Sandercombe@MrUppity1
Bit gay but very sad and disappointed to be saying goodbye tonight in particular to les.
Barry Hayles
Really sad times @TruroCityTweet hope it gets sorted out great times in my career and bunch of lads.
Joseph Broad@jbizzle6
Sad times, emotional evening saying goodbyes!! Couldn't have played with a better group and in front of a better set of fans
Jake Ash@jakeyash
I don't know what to feel. The journey has been amazing with memories I will never forget. I'm SO proud to have been part of it.
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