Shame on Longford Town

**S�C** · 19/12/2003, 1:50 PM

Looks like Longford have made a little f�ck up.
http://www.soccercentral.ie/viewstor...&viewstory=yes
We're Drogs in BIG trouble over this?

So they get Government money for a company that doesnt exist, a bit dodgey. Where does this leave them for the Uefa Licencing?

**Dodge** · 19/12/2003, 2:12 PM

Originally posted by S�Ccfc
We're Drogs in BIG trouble over this?

No, loads of clubs have been late with their reports. Drogheda's was something much more serious AFAIK

**S�C** · 19/12/2003, 2:15 PM

Ah but is there a difference with late reports and being struck off?

Actually now are Longfords players contracted to a company that doesnt exist.

Anyone for Kirby, Fergeson, Barrett and Dillion?

Pick up the fone Pat

**Dodge** · 19/12/2003, 2:21 PM

Sorry totally mis read that soccercentral piece. Still think there was a difference but yeah that looks serious enough for Longford...

**Xlex** · 19/12/2003, 2:50 PM

very embarrassing... no word from home and it looks serious.

I was talking to someone connected to the club and there is alot of talk of very promising ideas... well it's pie in the sky but I was told we made an operating profit last season...

we looked like a model club from the inside...

**Xlex** · 19/12/2003, 3:00 PM

Longford Town Football Club Ltd.

http://www.cro.ie/search/results.asp?number=93442&BI=C

List of submissions.

http://www.cro.ie/search/pub_submiss...ber=93442&BI=C

31/12/2002

The 'Next AR Date' refers to the statutory Annual Return Date (ARD). This is a date after 1 March 2002 to which an annual return should be made up. If a company has annual returns outstanding for previous years the obligation to file these returns is a continuing one.

Please note that the Next AR Date is updated each evening

Look like we didn't make a return since at least 31/12/1997*

Can anyone give me a positive reason as to why this happened?

*edit year

**pineapple stu** · 19/12/2003, 3:22 PM

I checked that as well - the "Next Annual Return Date" is technically the next return date after March 2002, when new rules were introduced. The company's last return was in 1997.

Seeing as how the company was changing directors only a month ago, the strike-off/dissolution doesn't appear to have come from the company (as it takes more than a month to strike a company off, and there'd be no point changing directorships in a company which was going to be struck off anyway). If you don't file returns for six years, the CRO is well within their bounds to strike you off themselves. And that's not a nice thing to happen, even before the FAI get involved.

**Xlex** · 19/12/2003, 3:28 PM

Right, well the connected source said two members of the board were working very hard going over the last few years accounts because they were shabby in the past, looks like they didn't get it done quick enough...

**DruggyDrog** · 19/12/2003, 4:08 PM

I recall saying to some Longford people on this forum months ago while they were gloating at Drogs not to get to carried away becuase all was not well in the Longford camp. I don't like to see clubs in trouble, especially in light of the near fatal situation whicj a few muppets left the Drogs in, but I urge all supporters to be very careful about what they say about others clubs trials and tribulations because you never know who is next. I just happened to know about a possible problem at Longford through a business associate, but i'm sure there are other clubs who are not being completely above board.

I wonder will Jim Roddy put as much effort into this as he did into the Drogs, or does Longfords league position mean he won't be interested!!!

Best of luck in sorting this out lads, the last thing the league needs is clubs in trouble.

**derm** · 19/12/2003, 4:23 PM

The joys of being a fan - everything looks hunky-dory for de future and then wham.

What can this mean for Longford (worst case) - fine, giving up Europe spot, expulsion from de league???

Hope ye get this sorted, de eL needs teams like Longford

**Dodge** · 19/12/2003, 4:45 PM

Originally posted by derm

What can this mean for Longford (worst case)

The FAI Cup final result should be over turned. They dirty cheating *******s

**Xlex** · 19/12/2003, 4:53 PM

I'll wait and see why we were struck off... If we have a tax clearance certificate it can't look too bad, as regards the non-existance of returns well, I dunno what to say, but you have to give us a chance to prove or even be found guilt of something... It doesn't look good...

**TommyT** · 19/12/2003, 4:53 PM

In fairness DD I don't remember all the detals but I do remember thinking when I read about it at the time that the Drogheda situation was one of the worst cases I'd ever seen.

The league has clear enough rules about operating companies(though Longfrd don't really have one) interesting to see whta they do.

**Xlex** · 19/12/2003, 5:03 PM

Originally posted by TommyT
[BThe league has clear enough rules about operating companies(though Longfrd don't really have one) interesting to see whta they do. [/B]

"We have written to Longford requesting clarification on their situation," said eircom League chairman Brendan Dillon. "We have been in touch over recent months on the subject of their annual returns and were assured that everything was in hand."

and that appears to be happening...

**pineapple stu** · 19/12/2003, 5:13 PM

Originally posted by derm
What can this mean for Longford (worst case) - fine, giving up Europe spot, expulsion from de league???

If the company has been struck off by the CRO, then it ceases to be a legal entity, and any assets can, as far as I know (great legal escape phrase!

) be seized by Revenue. Want to hope the company doesn't own the ground! Can't see the club being that stupid though - I'm sure the accountants would have pointed it out to them many times and if it were to result in something that serious, they'd have acted fairly sharp.

**DruggyDrog** · 19/12/2003, 5:15 PM

I've checked around a few people, and Longford may not be in that bad a position. It seems to be focused on incompetence or laziness (or both) at an administrative level. Bearing in mind that it was these failings that were central to the troubles at Drogheda, I'm of the opinion that this happening Longford now is a good thing for them, as it gives them time to sort it before it gets too serious. Think they have a year under some by-law to get things sorted, without any worries about expenses etc.

Now this is not at all anything other than the opinions of a few people, but I hope its the case and that the situation is cleared up as quickly as possible.

**Xlex** · 22/12/2003, 9:56 AM

positive news around longford...

we're been asked for two sets of accounts, the football side are fine and spot on. the business side is behind the time. we have one month to furnish the lot, for which we are close to doing..

from a second source, Longford Town Football Club Ltd. Haven't traded in years, it was suppositly wound up unofficially when Duncan took over with no debt. Slight contradiction on what cro.ie states and the above stating we had work to do, which we were always aware of...

**Xlex** · 22/12/2003, 11:30 AM

I haven't thought of this, but could a mod place this in the Longford Town bucket as it has nowt to do with anyone other than LTFC and folks over in our forum are wanting to speak about it...

feel free to leave a permanant re-direct...

**max power** · 22/12/2003, 12:42 PM

blah blah blah blah, all a load of rubbish, all tax payments are up to date and it is simpley a matter of filing returns for years gone past, revenue have been in touch with club before over various payments and all have been made, i worked in revenue and know the ins and outs of this, i can pm anyone who needs to know more........

all is in hand, you wouldn't get a tax clearence cert without a full set of returns for each year and as macy will tell you, you need this for a fas scheme

**paudie** · 22/12/2003, 1:26 PM

Could be expensive enough with late filing fees.

5 late CRO returns is �1,230 by 5 = �6,150.

Accountants fees on top of that would depend on whether accounts have to be prepared for 5 years or not.

It's possible the company struck off isn't trading any more which would make it easier to get things up to date. That would make sense as a dormant company is more likely to not file returns.

Ye could always pawn any silverware ye have lying around to raise money for the fees!