Albion fight off taxman's threat

May 20 2009 by Iain Howie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING Albion is paying the tax debt that threatened to plunge the club into administration.

On Friday the Observer was first with the news that HM Revenue and Customs was pursuing the Binos for £41,000 and a decision had been granted against the team at Stirling Sheriff Court.

Last Wednesday’s court decision came after HMRC said the bill had remained unpaid since February.

Notice that HMRC was bidding to wind up the club was pinned up at the sheriff court, leaving eight days for the club to respond.

A spokesperson for HMRC said the company liquidation move was a last resort.

They said: “We would prefer not to apply to wind up companies. We always try to work with them, particularly at the moment with times as they are, and this frequently helps out both parties.

“If nothing can be agreed between the parties then we turn to the courts to protect the taxpaying public and other businesses.

“We are not in the business of winding up companies.

“If the taxes are paid then we wipe the slate clean.”

The is now in the process of being settled, according to club sources.

The shock came amid an ambitious takeover bid by a fans’ trust.

The Buystirlingalbion campaign team said: “The story will galvanise us into intensified effort to drive forward to meet our declared objectives.

“The campaign now assumes even greater relevance than before and we will continue to fight for the long-term future of the club under 100 per cent fans’ ownership.

“The campaign team believes that this news will spur our supporters and people in the local community to subscribe to membership of the Stirling Albion Supporters’ Trust, as well as spreading the word to others to join our fight and provide financial and logistical support to the campaign.

“There has never been a better time for people to volunteer their services to the campaign so that we can, at the very least, maintain the excellent momentum.”