TILBURY remain a club in limbo after a meeting last week with FA officials to probe reported financial and administrative irregularities.
The Ryman One North side have been in a state of chaos for the past three weeks since the FA investigation was announced and club chairman Robbie Nash sacked secretary Mark Southgate and manager Graham Chester.
Both have since played a prominent part in a supporters’ campaign to return the club to members status, annexing the role of the chairman.
Things were expected to come to a head last Friday when the FA arrived in Tilbury for a meeting between club officials and Mr Southgate at the club’s solicitors.
The club are reported to have gone behind Mr Southgate’s back in completing documentation to the FA regarding the conversion of the club to limited company status and they are believed to have admitted that they sent in paperwork, falsifying the approval of Mr Southgate.
The drama has been played out in front of the background of a club redevelopment scheme that could pump millions into its coffers – or the directors of the new company.
Angry fans have called for the chairman to be removed by the FA, but following Friday’s meeting, both ‘sides’ have kept a discreet silence, though the threat of a protracted legal battle remains that could keep the club in turmoil.
Meanwhile, Paul Vaughan, who has been appointed manager by Mr Nash, is trying to assemble his squad and this week announced a series of low key pre-season friendlies. Whether they will ever be played remains a moot point but the schedule is:
Saturday, 10 July away to Basildon United 3pm; Saturday, July 17th home to Burnham Ramblers 3 pm; Tuesday, July 20 home to Bethnal Green United 7.45pm; Saturday, 24 July home Enfield 3pm; Saturday 31 July home to Bowers & Pitsea 3pm.
This does not read well for Tilbury, so who is in charge at the club now as it seem that both parties are awaiting the outcome of the FA, has Paul Vaughan got a budget for players next season, will players want to join the club with such a case hanging over the club?
This is bad news for non-league football in the borough, both Tilbury and Grays are attracting the headlines for all the wrong reasons.