BASHLEY have announced that unless they find fresh investment by March 13, the club could dissolve at the end of the season.
The cash-strapped Calor League Premier club’s 37 members will have an emergency general meeting on Thursday, March 13.
And chairman Mike Cranridge has said that unless the club’s financial state takes a turn for the better, Bash could start proceedings to dissolve the club after this season has finished.
A statement from Cranridge said: “Bashley Football Club has defied logic for many years as the village soccer club that made history by attaining Southern Premier League status.
“The rise from park football to Southern Premier was driven by the enthusiasm, hard work and the investment of football-loving local business people, but these have dwindled with the ravages of time.
“More recently, the club has kept going hand-to-mouth, thanks to our main sponsor Hoburne Holiday Parks and the efforts, ingenuity and deep pockets of a handful of inexperienced but passionate volunteers.
“Although never likely to survive on gate receipts alone the drop of income caused by the loss of so many Saturday games from bad weather plus a current lack of sponsors has put survival in doubt. This has now come to a head and Bashley is now dependant on private funding and an understanding squad to finish the season.
“Decisions are required very soon on our participation in the Southern League and FA Cups in season 2014/15 and it is very apparent that without executive level recruitment and guaranteed sponsorship/funding we would be unable to meet the financial obligations required.
“Bashley Football Club is a membership club run by the members and unable to raise or borrow money in the market and hence debt-free but cash poor.
“An EGM has been called to raise awareness of the situation and if help is not forthcoming to dissolve the club.”
