AFC TELFORD UNITED have confirmed a winding-up petition wrongly brought against the club by HM Revenue & Customs has been thrown out.
The Bucks were in shock on Friday when they learned they were subject of a winding-up petition with a court date set for today (Monday, December 7).
The club immediately posted a statement saying the petition had been incorrectly instigated by HMRC with the club having paid its VAT bill.
Fortunately for the National League North club, the case was immediately dismissed this morning by the court and HMRC have been ordered to pay costs.
A Bucks statement said: “We learnt only on Friday that the club was subject to a winding up petition incorrectly instigated by HMRC.
“The club were notified of this on 29th October, in a hand delivered letter from HMRC and the club signed to acknowledge receipt of the letter. The club immediately contacted HMRC the same day 29th October and HMRC acknowledged in that phone conversation that the club had already paid the VAT amount of £11k in October, long before communication of 29th was received.
“HMRC agreed that no notice would be entered into the Gazette (we believe that no notice has been issued) and the court hearing would be cancelled. They again confirmed this in writing on 17th November.
“Despite again acknowledging this by telephone this morning, at 10am the HMRC barrister in Court had still not received an instruction that the case should be dismissed. A director was present at the Court – directors also met regularly over the weekend.
“The club has always prioritised the paying of crown debt to HMRC – £172,488 has been paid in VAT over the last two years and a further £168,800 in PAYE.
“We have expressed our upmost disappointment to HMRC and requested an apology: this has caused the club embarrassment and has caused everyone connected with the club stress and anxiety over a matter which shouldn’t have occurred and which we thought we had dealt with at the first possible opportunity.”
