4 Nov 2009Relief as Accrington Stanley pay off tax bill

Football Clubs News | Football Finance News

Accrington Stanley have avoided going out of business by settling an outstanding tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs.

Having been granted a payment extension last week, the Lancashire club had until today (November 4th) to clear a debt of £308,000 with the taxman or face a winding-up order.

"It's a tremendous relief for myself and the fans," managing director David O'Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Local businessman Ilyas Khan and former vice-chairman Peter Marsden acted as guarantors for a portion of the debt and have now taken up new roles at Accrington Stanley.

Khan will become non-executive chairman and Marsden will return to the League Two outfit as president.

"Ilyas and Peter have been fundamental in helping us reach the total," said O'Neill, who described the last eight weeks as "an absolute nightmare" for people associated with the club.

Last month, Accrington Stanley played neighbours Blackburn Rovers in a special friendly match at the Crown Ground to raise money for their survival bid.

Written by Tom Jenkins

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