Manor's FA Cup debt paid by Poppies fans (From Echo)

Manor's FA Cup debt paid by Poppies fans

11:48am Wednesday 8th February 2012

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A KETTERING Town fans’ group has been praised for paying an outstanding FA Cup debt of thousands of pounds to minnows Southend Manor.

The Poppies Trust took it upon themselves to transfer £3,124.63 into the bank account of the Essex Senior League side this week.

Manor were owed the money as the 50 per cent of the gate receipt they were entitled to for the teams’ FA Cup clash in late October.

But with Conference National’s well documented financial problems, they were still waiting for the money four months later.

But the Essex Senior League title hopefuls got every last penny of that money this week, and Manor chairman Bob Westley said it was an “unexpected but hugely appreciated” move by the Poppies Trust.

He said: “I think it goes to show what most people who love the game know anyway – and that is the fans are the best thing about it.

“That money means a lot to a club of our size and our secretary is working on a thank-you message to send them.”

A statement from the Poppies Trust says: “We felt it was morally right for us clear this debt.

“The Manor battled through several qualifying rounds and earned the right to play a Blue Square Bet Premier team.

“The Trust felt they should not be penalised for the club’s current, off-the-pitch financial problems.

“We contacted the FA and they had no issue with us paying Southend Manor direct.”

Kettering currently face a winding-up petition issued by HM Revenue and Customs in December.

The club were forced to put their entire squad on the transfer list in November and were put under a transfer embargo.

The Poppies Trust is running a ‘Save the Poppies’ campaign.

To make a donation, or for more information, see the poppiestrust.com website, or e-mail savektfc@poppiestrust.co.uk