Ebbsfleet United Cleared to Start National League Season
Ebbsfleet United have been given the green light to finally start their National League South campaign this weekend after the division lifted the club’s suspension.
The Kent side had seen their opening six league fixtures wiped from the calendar while they scrambled to deal with serious financial problems. Those issues had escalated in the spring when His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a winding-up petition over unpaid debts dating back to April.
The crisis eased last month when new owner John O'Leary completed a takeover of the club. That change at the top allowed Ebbsfleet to settle their outstanding liabilities with HMRC and pay their players in full, a key step in convincing the authorities the club could operate properly again.
In a statement on Wednesday, the club praised those who had ridden out the uncertainty.
"We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding, as well as our players and staff for their exemplary conduct through this difficult period," Ebbsfleet said.
The National League’s compliance and licensing committee met on Tuesday and, after reviewing the club’s position, agreed to lift the suspension with immediate effect. It means Ebbsfleet can at last take to the pitch on Saturday, when they are scheduled to face Walton & Hersham.
The reprieve comes with a warning, though. The league has imposed a suspended six-point deduction, hanging over the club for the rest of the season. That punishment will be activated if Ebbsfleet fail to meet a set of “obligations” that have not yet been made public.
Earlier in the week, the sixth-tier side confirmed they had submitted a full financial dossier to the National League, including proof that funds were in place to clear all of the club’s liabilities. They also stated that HMRC had confirmed no amounts remained outstanding.
The National League backed up that progress but made clear the scrutiny has not ended.
"While the committee continues to consider there are issues for the club to satisfy the league on, with regard to compliance with rules and regulations, the committee decided, in accordance with applicable regulations, that the suspension of Ebbsfleet United FC will be lifted with immediate effect. The club remains under a player registration embargo,” read a league statement.
That embargo is significant. Ebbsfleet can play again, but they cannot register new players, limiting their room to manoeuvre as they try to make up for lost time on the pitch.
"The committee continues to require specified action from the club and will continue to be in close contact," the league added.
So the gates at Ebbsfleet will open on Saturday, the season finally beginning six games late. The question now is whether the club can stabilise quickly enough off the field to ensure the only battles they face from here are on it.
