Sports club finance mystery

Sources close to the club have told the Observer it is facing serious difficulties.

It is claimed the club, based at the Gullivers sports ground, on Glovers Lane, may owe the taxman as much as 31,000.

Officials this week declined to answer questions on any possible debt when quizzed by the Observer.

Chairman Peter Lillycrop refused to confirm or deny whether the club owed money and said no comment would be made until after a meeting to discuss club finances on Monday.

The Observer had previously been told the committee was due to meet this week, with an explanation to follow soon after.

But Mr Lillycrop insisted the club will not be closing, 'in the immediate future.'

He said Monday's meeting had been called to discuss the long-term future of the club.

If the club was to shut, Sidley cricket and football clubs, who both use the Gullivers, could face uncertain futures.

Sidley Sports and Social Club was founded following the Second World War as a centre for recreational and community activities in the village.

When approached for a statement on whether the club is in debt, Mr Lillycrop said: "That I can't comment on until the meeting on Monday."

Asked if he was unsure if a debt existed, he added: "No. I just can't comment until after the meeting.

"We just need to get all the facts together for this. I can't comment on things without the meeting on Monday evening to get the facts and figures straight.

"I have heard all of these rumours and they are changing from day to day. Things are quite hard at the moment, but that's life these days."

He admitted trading has slowed down at the club.

He said: "We have been closed in the afternoons because there hasn't been members using the club. We have had two or three people popping in in the afternoons and it's just not worth it. We have to pay the bar staff.

"We will give it until the warmer months come and see what happens. The smoking ban hasn't helped either."

Mr Lillycrop pledged to answer questions on club finances next week.