As far as possible I am paying off as many outstanding debts to suppliers as possible as it is appreciated that they are suffering the same economic pressures as the club, says Tonbridge Angels chairman Dave Netherstreet

Tonbridge Angels chairman Dave Netherstreet has issued the following statement:

“We are now three weeks into the suspension of all football and indeed much of normal life due the Coronavirus outbreak and I thought I should update owners and supporters of the club’s current position. 

At it stands there is no forecasted income coming into the club, as not only are all matches postponed indefinitely but also all events that include those organised by the club and third parties as well as private occasions such as weddings, birthdays etc.  

All the other clubs/societies that use our premises for their regular meetings have also had to suspend their activities.

I'm very pleased to say we have managed to re-arrange the Skatonics Evening from 30th May to 31st October.   

I have contacted the utility companies to ask that our payments be adjusted down to which they have helpfully agreed, and of course, alongside that our use of those services will be substantially reduced. 

Payments to players ceased with effect from 20th March but we are progressing applications for furlough payments which would represent 80% of their wages.   

With regard to our tax bills we are seeking advice from HMRC under the Time to Pay initiative announced by the Chancellor the other day to understand how a deferral scheme might work and hopefully agree a schedule for payments. 

The Chancellor also announced there would be a business rate relief and I have made an application to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for the appropriate grant.   

As far as possible I am paying off as many outstanding debts to suppliers as possible as it is appreciated that they are suffering the same economic pressures as the club.

These are of course worrying times as once again it seems the club faces a crisis along this time with all our other friends in the non-league family.  

The National League has said that all matches are now postponed indefinitely and we await a decision on how they are going to conclude the 2019/20 season.      

Let’s be very clear this crisis is so much bigger than football. People’s lives are at stake and at the very least many will suffer financial hardship and the severe stress that will bring.  Football will come back, sadly some supporters of the game we all love will not.

So in the greater scheme of things what can we as Angels supporters do?  

Please keep bringing food mainly in the form of tins, the list is on the website, for the Sustain foodbank project being run by Tonbridge Baptist Church in Darenth Avenue just a few steps from the ground between 11:00am and 2:00pm Monday’s to Friday’s.  

You can now bring donations direct to the church reception itself observing of course social distancing.  Now more than ever some people in Tonbridge will be in need of the basics and will not have the money to pay for those basics. 

Wherever possible and practical do please keep supporting our principal commercial partners.  Like ourselves they will be going through tough times and some of them may be temporarily closed but will hopefully get going again once the emergency is over. Don’t forget them please.  

If you know of a fellow Angels supporter who might need assistance because perhaps they are in self-isolation or in a vulnerable group then please contact them to see if you can help in any way.  They might just be grateful for a chat. We already know this has started to happen so thank you. 

Finally, please follow all the Government, NHS, and Public Health England advice; its there to help you and save lives and I can’t therefore think of a better reason to take heed.  
 
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we can all share that moment as our players in their blue shirts walk out to compete in a game of football.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk