The Club has debts "in the order of one million pounds".

This includes a debt of 180,000 to the Inland Revenue, 430,000 to the bank (the majority of which is on a mortgage which was taken out for the ground redevelopment) as well as various "potential" debts - to the Football Trust and players.

There should be a solution "well before" the initial 3 month period is up.

Kingstonian Football Club goes into Administration

Kingstonian Football Club Ltd has gone into Administration after making unsustainable financial losses following its demotion from the Nationwide Conference to the Ryman League at the end of last season. Nick Hood and Tim Dolder, partners at corporate recovery specialists Begbies Traynor, have been appointed as Administrators.

Begbies Traynor will run Kingstonians as a going concern and its teams will keep playing while the Administrators seek a backer to refinance the business. Talks are at an advanced stage with two potential backers.

Kingstonians has a long history of footballing achievement. The Club can trace its origins back to a fixture in November 1885, when it took the field as the Kingstonian & Surbiton YMCA Association Football Club. The present Club was formed from the merger of the two largest clubs in Kingston in 1919. A number of Kingstonian players went on to achieve international success with England and Scotland. Ted Croker, a distinguished past Chief Executive of the Football Association, was a Kingstonian player in his younger days.

Earlier this year, the Club was thwarted by a last minute equalizer by Bristol City, when qualification for the 5th round of the FA Cup seemed to be secure. The replay was lost to an 87th minute goal and, as so often, subsequent league form suffered after the Cup run and the team was relegated at the end of the 2000/2001 season. Kingstonian are currently 16th out of 22 in the Ryman Premier League.

Relegation has led to a major fall in gate receipts, and also hit the club's ability to earn money from advertising and sponsorship. The Club has faced additional financial pressures this season because the players' wages still reflected its former Nationwide status. To reduce costs, nine players were released earlier this month in an attempt to cut the wage bill.

The club moved to its present Kingsmeadow stadium in 1988, which is equipped with an excellent hospitality suite. Following ground improvements last year, the main stand seats over 1,000 and takes the ground's capacity to over 6000.

Nick Hood of Begbies Traynor commented:

"Kingstonian is a club with a rich footballing heritage and a tremendously loyal set of fans despite all of the recent difficulties. I am very hopeful that we can find a new backer to secure the club's future. The Board has reached an advanced stage in negotiations with two interested parties and since news of the proposed Administration has leaked out, I am receiving a steady stream of enquiries from more interested parties. I shall now be taking over the negotiations and hope to achieve a successful outcome as soon as possible.

In the mean time, I have secured funding to keep both the football club and the catering activities operating on a normal footing. The most important thing now is that the fans give the team the maximum support, because success on the pitch is every bit as important as the negotiations with the potential backers. I want fans, players and staff to know that I shall do everything in my power to bring the existing negotiations to a successful conclusion."

Just to confirm that an administration order was made in the High Court this afternoon and Nick Hood and Tim Dolder of this firm were appointed administrators. We will be at the meeting tomorrow evening and look forward to seeing you all there.

The Directors would like to invite all supporters and shareholders to a forum on Thursday evening at 7.30 pm to discuss and answer questions relating to the present situation at the club.

In other news, Begbies Traynor Chartered Accountants have been named as the club's appointed Adminstrator.

Williams goes as sacked players threaten legal action by David Parsons

RYMAN CRISIS club Kingstonian pondered their future last week with their manager returning to his former club, sacked players threatening legal action and their former coach accusing them of putting ground improvements before the team.

As the possibility of administration moved closer, the nine players sacked in a move to cut a 15,000 weekly wage bill moved to take legal action for loss of earnings.

And in a bizarre twist, they say they will continue turning up for training - even though the gates have been closed on them.

The players say they were told by directors that Ks would be entering voluntary administration and could no longer pay their wages.

But Sammy Winston, one of the heroes of last season's run to the FA Cup fourth round, says Ks are in breach of his contract - and until wages are paid he and his former team mates cannot find a new club.

Winston said: "The club have stopped paying me and that is in breach of my contract. I know all the released players feel the same and are seeking legal advice. I am now one of the creditors.

"I am going to see what happens in court. I have sent a letter to the FA outlining the money I am owed.

"Clubs are being put off signing us because they could face an FA charge for tapping up a contracted player. According to the Football Association we are still Kingstonian players.

"My legal advisor has told me to keep training with the club and not breach my contract. Until I have a letter from the club explaining why I have been sacked, they need to keep paying me."

Chairman Alan Kingston confirmed the club ran the risk of action, but said they had no option.

"There are a number of ways the club could avoid going bust. We are talking to the creditors and we are also talking to potential investors. The nine players have been released an no longer have a contract. Technically they can come back and sue us for the balance of their contracts.

"The players would have to mitigate their loss and when they go and play for someone else, probably for a bit less than we are paying, negotiate a settlement. But if we do go into administration then they can't."

Another of the freed players, veteran full back Colin Luckett, forced to leave after eight years, described his treatment as "a slap in the face."

"I am so upset by the situation. I have been forced to take my contract to a solicitor.

"Kingstonian keep telling me something is going to happen - but it never does and I can't go to another club because I am still contracted.

"Their attitude has puzzled me and loyalty seems to count for nothing. I was close to tears when the club informed me they could not afford to keep me. They didn't sit me down and explain the situation. I thought they owed me that." Meanwhile, former manager Bill Williams has left Kingsmeadow to return to former club Dover as general manager.

Williams was scheduled to remain at Kingsmeadow as commercial manager and support new boss Steve Sedgley, but the lack of a concrete position sent him back to the Crabble.

Kingstonian had told Williams he would not be required at the club every day and the former manager, who signed a three year contract after Geoff Chapple was fired last summer, said: "I am quite bitter. I had signed a contract which was obviously being reneged on. It wasn't worth the paper it was written on. All this has come as quite a shock to the system."

Williams will not put pressure on his Dover replacement Gary Bellamy - despite a difficult start to the season. "I wanted to make sure that Gary was comfortable with me coming back and that he knew there was no hidden agenda" he said.

Dover chairman Jim Gleeson said the former manager would have no control over team matters: "Bill will be responsible for day-to-day management of the club, particularly with respect to generating income from the business community."

Former Ks coach Ian McDonald blames the club's impatience to upgrade Kingsmeadow for the current crisis. He believes ground redevelopment should have been shelved and funds ploughed into the playing structure.

He also claimed Chapple was against the plan to build a Football League stadium.

He said: "Two years ago Geoff told me the club was going to redevelop Kingsmeadow. I know he wasn't totally sold on the idea and I also thought the club's plans were absolutely mental. Even when the team began to struggle, they still decided to plough on with the redevelopment. I felt the club were trying to run before they could walk.

"The directors were trying to upgrade the stadium with only a small crowd. I don't think the club is the best commercially run outfit in the world."

McDonald feels Kingstonian were ill prepared for life in the Ryman Premier and thinks the crisis was an accident waiting to happen.

"The club has been spending more than they have been bringing in through the gates. Something had to buckle."

Having been released at the end of the 1999/2000 season Mark Beard is back at Roots Hall determined to make up for lost time.
Beard, who was the clubs Player of the Season for the 1998/99 campaign, re-joined the Blues after financial difficulties at Kingstonian.

I went into administration with Kingstonian, so they couldnt pay our wages anymore, said Beard who is expected to be amongst the substitutes tomorrow. I just came down here to keep my fitness, started training and from there I played in the reserves on Tuesday and did well and he (Rob Newman) asked me if I wanted to sign again. Ive signed on a week to week deal for the meantime.

But Beard, who made 91 appearances for the Shrimpers in his first spell at the club, is quick to point out how things have altered since his departure.

Lots of things have changed since I was here, said Beard. I mean Robs still here, Kev Maher but not many more players, Johnny Gowens and thats about it. But Ive kept in touch with a few of the boys and Ive been down to watch a few games. Theres still a good bunch of boys here though.

Beard has been allocated the number 27 shirt as he attempts to help the Blues get back to winning ways.

Swansea will be a tough game, theyre under new management as well, said Beard. Theyve sacked a few players this week but it will still be a difficult game.

Kingstonian Football Club today announced the promotion of Reserve Team Manager, Kim Harris, to Assistant Manager of the 1st team squad to work alongside Steve Sedgley.

Sedgley said "Kim has done a tremendous job with our reserve side this year along with Barry Sargent, and has produced some great young players with which the Club are now benefiting from."

"Kim's help in the last week and at the St Albans game last Saturday was instrumental in what proved a difficult few days for me and the Club. He deserves his promotion and will work alongside me for the foreseeable future where, I have no doubt, we will form a good relationship with the team."

v Bedford

v St Albans

WILLIAMS RETURNS

Former Dover Athletic manager Bill Williams, who left the club in the summer to take over at Kingstonian, has returned to Crabble as General Manager. Williams resigned from Kingstonian last week. He was Dover's most successful manager at Conference level in his four and a half years in charge but in his new role he will not be responsible for team affairs, manager Gary Bellamy retains full control. He will instead be in charge of off-the-field activities.

Talks are continuing between the Board of Kingstonian Football Club and its advisors concerning the financial difficulties the Club is currently experiencing.

At this juncture there is nothing to add to previous press statements but as soon as there are any developments a press announcement will be made.

Alan Kingston
Chairman

Grim prospects for giant killers

What a great confidence boosting, morale saving, 2-2 draw that was on Saturday - shame it wasnt on telly really. In all the excitement from Old Trafford, a couple of clubs further down the pyramid finished up two apiece on Saturday and youre excused (this time) for not noticing. A 1pm kick off ahead of a certain other game saw St Albans held 2-2 at home by Kingstonian at Clarence Park in their Ryman Premier clash.

As pre-match preparations go, Kingstonian Football Club opted for the unorthodox approach. Indeed, given the events of the previous 24 hours it was something of a result they made it to the ground, let alone earn a draw.

On the Friday before, the club were dealt a triple whammy of knock out blows, strong enough to send some of their richer and bigger named clubs reeling.

Bad news comes in threes, but not usually in the space of a couple of hours. First came the news, not entirely unexpected that manager Bill Williams after a whole 14 games in charge was being moved into a backroom marketing role to be replaced by head coach Steve Sedgley.

Managers being ousted aint no surprise anymore, even in early October, and the pressure for success in the Ryman Premier is just as intense as in the Barclaycard Premiership. Williams did at least last longer than Taylor at Leicester.

The next bombshell to filter out of KFC HQ was even more penetrating. Eleven players, a whole damn team, were being released from their contracts. Eight were told on Friday and three more had yet to be named. The evicted eight included team captain Simon Stewart and Mark Beard, a former Millwall and Southend player who said: We got called in last night and told about it. The club said they cant afford to pay our wages. Within five minutes it was all over and we were saying our goodbyes."

Then the final, inevitable release of news, the club was in financial trouble. Chairman Alan Kingston confirmed the club had voluntarily decided to bring in the financial experts to deal with the club's "substantial" losses. Unlike Railtrack, dont expect the government to offer any help to this sad case.

Funny how quick the milk turns sour, isnt it, isnt it? Apart from the red and white hooped strip, the Kingstonian squad of today has little in common with the side that were last seasons FA Cup giant killers. In January the Ks made the journey to Ashton Gate to take on the second division might of Bristol City in front of a near 15,000 crowd. After 90 minutes, Kingstonian had a 1-0 lead and were virtually in the bag for the fifth round draw. After 93 minutes and 32 seconds the last kick of the game gave Bristol City an equalizer in the cruelest fashion which even caught out BBC Grandstand, who went to the post match report thinking it had been the shock result of the round. Almost.

After the tears came the realisation they were still in the competition and in the same hat as Manchester United for the fifth round draw. In the event they got their Premiership tie (against Leicester) but a small matter of a replay awaited at their home ground Kingsmeadow before the trip to Filbert Street became a reality.

If a 5th round tie against a Premiership club is as profitable as hitting the lottery jackpot for a Conference team, a 4th round replay is as good as five numbers and the bonus for a Conference club. Particularly, when the Sky TV articulated lorries turn up outside your ground and pay 150,000 to go through the turnstile.

As often is the case on these occasions the match was hardly a thriller and in a cruel twist of fate, Ks conceded another late goal to Bristol City, this time in the 88th minute, but this time it was fatal as it was the only goal of the game.

The last person out that night not only switched off the lights but must have taken the fuse with them as well. From that point onwards the clubs fortunes have nose-dived. The long FA Cup run had been overshadowing the fact that the Ks league position in the Conference was becoming perilous. Hard to imagine given they started the season warm favourites to be promoted to the football league proper.

A glance at the fixture list showed plenty of games in hand, a backlog spawned by the cup diversion, and the mathematics seemed favourable enough. But one by one, the games in hand evaporated with the points tally remaining stubbornly static. By the end of the season, the dream was over and the Ks dropped out the Conference with Kettering and Hednesford and fully 13 points adrift of the safety zone.

For the supporters of the Ks the cup run was by no means their only taste of success in recent years. The club carried off a notable triumph with back to back FA Trophy successes under manager Geoff Chapple, a non-league giant killing maestro, at the Twin Towers in 1999 and 2000.

Chapple though paid the price of relegation and was booted out during the closed season to make way for Bill Williams who had been managing Dover. The pre-season friendlies provided plenty of encouragement for the new look side but the writing was on the wall with a 1-0 home defeat in their first match proper in the Ryman at the hands of Gravesend. Performances have been pretty dismal since, leaving the team in 14th out of 22 in a league many believed they would bounce straight back up from.

Any hopes of another profitable Cup run were dashed when the Ks sank at the hands of little known Brockenhurst in the second qualifying round. Given that Brockenhursts usual attendance is less than 100, this was about as low as it gets. Just eight months after taking Bristol City to the wire, Kingstonian were bizarrely victims of giant killers themselves in this seasons renewal.

For the fans, this was the time for change, although the scale of change outlined on Friday could hardly have been imagined. Even after a decent 3-0 home win against Bedford Town in the league last Tuesday night, one lone supporter was calling for the head of Williams the memory of Brockenhurst still painfully recent. He got his wish, Williams is out, but the club has also been decimated and, more critically, the purse strings will no longer be under their direct control.

Despite the gloating from arch local rivals, Sutton, it is hard to imagine any fans wanting to see their old enemy go to the wall. Yet, despite many clubs surviving and even prospering after going into administration, Kingstonians fortunes look gloomy and in these troubled times the financial picture is pretty hopeless. Crowds are dwindling and they werent particularly impressive to begin with, given the size of the, now university, town.

Club accountant Gerry Desler spells out the painful truth on the clubs excellent website (www.kingstonian.net). I would just say at this point that the club has been living beyond its means for a long time. The stadium investment has cost the club itself nearly 200k, with a bank mortgage and a Football Trust grant providing the balance. The wage bill per week for football players and football management is 5 times the receipts for an average home game this year, which we only have 2/3 times a month. Income from gates per home games is 1/3rd what it was last year."

Given the above its not surprising that drastic action was called for and sanctioned. Whether its enough to save a club with origins going back to 1885 is hard to call at present. The only thing that is certain is that Kingstonian Football Clubs biggest giant killing performance is needed off the pitch this season and no longer in the FA Cup.

Administrators will take over the running of Kingstonian Football Club on Tuesday.

Chairman Alan Kingston confirmed today the club had voluntarily decided to bring in the financial experts to deal with the club's "substantial" losses.

"The players' wages vastly exceeded the amount of money coming in," he said.

"Our wage bill was probably the highest in the Ryman League and we needed to take action."

He said that despite relegation from the Conference, the club's wage bill had gone up by 24 per cent this year and that directors had been ploughing their own cash into the club to try to keep it afloat.

But he believed Ks could follow the example of Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers who have emerged from spells in adminstration in a stronger state.

No confirmation has been received from the club.

Link: http://www.thisiskingston.co.uk/local_london/kingston/sport/SPORT2.html

Former Kingstonian manager Geoff Chapple says he is saddened by the clubs decision to go into voluntary administration.

Chapple, who was sacked at the end of last season after the club were relegated to the Ryman League, said: To release players and go into administration is tragic.

"There is always controversy at the club and always will be. My heart goes out to the clubs wonderful supporters. Its very sad."

Commenting on Steve Sedgleys taking over from Bill Williams, he said: Its a difficult one for Steve. He hasnt got the management experience you need.

I hope Steve does well. And I wish the club well. They have a great bunch of supporters who deserve better."

Link: http://www.thisiskingston.co.uk/local_london/kingston/sport/SPORT0.html

In response to press reports about its current situation, Kingstonian Football Club confirms that whilst it is currently facing financial difficulties, reports saying it has gone into Receivership are not correct.

The Board is currently considering the best way of handling the situation in order to ensure the Club continues with its day-to-day operation in the usual manner - for the rest of the season and on into the future.

During the next few days the Board expects to announce what steps are to be taken to ensure this protection for the Club.

Kingstonian Football Club is sorry to announce that, by mutual consent, Bill Williams is no longer in charge of team affairs at Kingsmeadow. However, he will continue to work for the club as Commercial and Marketing Consultant.

Head Coach Steve Sedgley takes over immediately and will be in charge of the team at St. Albans.

Says Bill Williams "I am sorry things have not worked out with the team as I had hoped and expected. I am pleased I am to remain involved with Kingstonian.

"I feel the decision is right for all parties, not least the Club and its supporters who have been superb throughout our difficult times. It means Steve can run things his own way for the first time without any influence that must have been there in the past from the Team Manager. I have every confidence both the players and the supporters will get behind him and that he will be a great success."

The Club's response is: "It goes without saying that we are saddened by this decision. So much seems to have happened so quickly and we must now all give Steve every possible support."

1. The Blueprint for the Future would be looked at by the Board in more detail and items within that document prioritised.
2. The Board would produce a shopping list of items the Supporters Club could help fund.
3. It was agreed that a Liaison Committee comprising of 2 of the directors, 2 members of the Supporters Club Executive Committee (and possibly a representative from the playing side of the club) would be formed to investigate all aspects of the club brought to its attention. The committee would report to the board in order to have its recommendations ratified.
4. All future commercial ventures undertaken on the Football Club's premises would be discussed and agreed with Tom Dixon.
5. An Events section would be established on both the official web site and in the match programme.
6. 2 directors have been invited to attend the next Supporters Club Executive Committee meeting on 11th October.

Gerry Desler and John Fenwick.

Many years ago, when I first came into football management, I can remember sitting in a dressing room somewhere after a cup defeat hearing a couple of players say "If only we could have another chance at that I'd do it differently". Since then I have heard that statement repeated so many times it has made me paranoid.

Sadly in cup football you do only get one bite of the cherry and at Brockenhurst we failed as a team to take the opportunities that showed themselves to win the game.

It was without doubt the longest and darkest hour and a half in my football management life and I can't explain in words how disappointed I was for everyone connected with the club, especially our loyal supporters who gave up well earned money to see a totally lack-luster performance.

How long it will take to really recover only time will tell. Even the beating of Bedford Town on Tuesday evening brought little consolation. In making that statement I have to say that it was good to win and it did make the dressing room sound a lot livelier.


It is important that everyone keeps going. We know it's not going to be easy, but this is a time to dig deeper and work harder than we have done at any time in our lives.

The background to the meeting was that in April 1999, the FA recognised the need for an urgent review of the structure of football below the Football League following the rejection of the proposed Conference Second Division. At this stage the FA had not initiated any changes and the four main leagues (Conference, Isthmian, Southern and Northern Premier) tried to find an agreed solution independently of the FA, but unfortunately failed. Since October 2000 the National League Structure Committee (NLSC) has directed a process for change which will create a better FA National League Structure.

The National Joint Liaison Committee (NJLC) couldn't agree a solution and broke up. Three leagues had a common view and the NLSC created a working party to bring the four leagues together with the aim of developing a common proposal, but this unfortunately failed. The NLSC then went back to the four leagues and asked them to individually present their ideas for restructuring to a sub committee of the NLSC. The FA have now taken account of the four presentations and own internal expertise to develop their own proposal for restructuring with clear and concise objectives to improve National League football for players, clubs, fans and leagues.

The current pyramid of football extends to level 4 clubs only and is headed by the Football Conference with 3 leagues feeding into it. The format of the three feeder leagues is inconsistent, rules/regulations are inconsistent, quality standards vary, ground gradings vary and Conference standards are now pulling away from the rest, creating a "gap."

The key aims for the FA National League Syetem are to raise the standard of the National League System by enabling clubs to compete together. To make the competitions more exciting by matching quality, increasing promotion/relegation, adding play-offs etc. To attract more supporters to matches and maintain their interest throughout the season. To improve the financial positions of clubs via addressing ground grading criteria, timings, sponsorship and revenue generation opportunities. To improve the linkage between the Football League, Conference, feeder leagues etc., and for the FA to become more active/proactive in the running of the National League System (NLS).

The reasons for change are to increase the quality of football and attract more fans, increase the excitement of competition, avoid unnecessary investments and reduce unnecessary travel (where possible, reduce the current "gap" between the Conference and the rest of the NLS, create a more consistent league system, reduce inequalities in progr, have clarity of all leagues - know where you are - and improve the financial structure of the System.

The proposed changes will create a new FA National League System regulated by the FA. It will create two new leagues between the Conference and the current feeders. It will elevate those clubs which have ambition and quality. It will have the flexibility to increase the sizes of leagues (between 20 and 24 clubs), introduce play-offs and produce more promotion opportunities. It wil create more natural progression pathways (help prepare), and be realistic regarding ground grading requirements, investments and timings. Finally, it was create flexibile boundaries and feeder points so feeder pools can float and provide consistency in rules/regulations/practices.

The proposed basic new structure would be National - Conference, Semi-National - North and South, Regional - ideally four feeders (North, Midlands, London and South East, South West), District - ideally eight leagues geographically based, Local - a pool of leagues with flexible boundaries feeding into districts leagues, and Below - as current with minimum possible change.

The criteria for allocation to a league will be, the quality of football which will include the standard of play in league competitions, performance over 3-5 seasons (weighting), with cup competitions not assessed. Ground grading/Facilities will include mininum standards at each level and not "raising the bar" for league entry initially. Community impact, in looking for clubs to show community interaction and for the FA strategy to develop Charter Standard/Community Clubs with multi-team strategy.

Key elements will include the FA defining promotion and relegation, including play-offs, at each link with leagues, relating especially to consistency for relegation/promotion throughout and maximisation of play-offs. The FA will work with leagues to provide guidelines for ground grading outside of the Conference. What this means is that when a club moves up to the next league it will have two years to implement any upgrade or automatically be relegated. The basic requirements will need to be met prior to entry into a new league, for example health and safety issues.

The key elements of the Administration Body of the new Semi-National Leagues will be democratically elected and will be led by the FA as will any other new leagues. Boundaries will be flexible and each season the make-up of leagues will be agreed with the FA via the NLSC, which will including the decision on floating leagues/clubs (ie: those close to any boundaries).

The FA are saying that they introduce the new structure in a manner to ensure that they get it right. Via consultation, as clubs and leagues are affected, with good communication (saying what, why, how and when), involving sponsors (current and potential), by being flexible if new ideas are offered, and by enabling clubs to play at the level which is right for them.

The consultation will involve steps, they being seminars (in order for the FA to share its thinking with affected parties), and clarity and feedback exercises. They will work with smaller league groups over a three month period to help shape the structure, and share their thinking with clubs and review the impllications and views after that period.

The earliest possible time for the new structure to be put into place is August 2003 (ie: at the end of next season).

After the presentation questions were taken from the floor and quite a lot of clubs were supportive of the proposals, although there were some distractors. Each of the 67 clubs who attended are now filling in a questionnaire which asks the following four questions, plus any additional comments:

Did you find the presentation informative?
Do you agree with the FA's proposal?
Are you in favour of two new Semi-National Leagues?
Would your club apply to be a member of these Leagues?

Kingstonian Football Club have sent their response.

Brockenhurst upset odds by Richard Luscombe

BROCKENHURST'S FA Cup aspirations this season did not amount to much when they were drawn at home to Kingstonian in the second qualifying round.

Saturday's tie pitted a club who, by their chairman's own admission, are usually found in the lower half of the Jewson Wessex League against one who, as members of the Nationwide Conference last season, were on the verge of the fifth round after wins over Brentford and Southend and a draw against Bristol City.

But two late goals for the Hampshire club provided a 2-1 win and the upset of the round, with Brockenhurst yesterday handed a trip to Cirencester in their first appearance in the third qualifying round on Oct 13 as a reward.

The Brockenhurst chairman, Keith Collins, said: "When you play a big team like Kingstonian, and given our usual crowd, you tend to assume that all the support is for them so we were delighted when several hundred people jumped up at the end."

Assistant manager Jimmy Sheppard scored the winner six minutes from time, nine minutes after John Bailey's goal pulled Brockenhurst level following Danny Bolt's 51st-minute strike for the Ryman League side.

Bill Williams, the Kingstonian manager, said it was "easily the worst performance" by his side since he took over in the summer.