Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Mitchell bullish over HMRC setback
Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell is remaining confident that the club can overcome its latest financial obstacle. Mitchell last night revealed that HM Revenue and Customs had again served Cherries with a winding-up petition over outstanding tax debts of £314,000. With money raised through the club's early season ticket sales drive, Mitchell claimed that about £100,000 was set to be wiped from that total. And he is bullish about the club's chances of staving off a HMRC winding-up petition for the second time this season. We are confident by the time the order is issued we will have found the money to clear it, said the club's majority shareholder. The Dorset-based businessman also called on the club's fans to continue helping to raise funds. Asked by the Echo if he had a message for Cherries' long-suffering supporters, Mitchell added: My message is for them to continue supporting in the way they have and we will then get through it. At last night's fans' forum, Mitchell delivered the shock news as he outlined the club's financial position. Mitchell said Cherries had raised around £280,000 from the early season ticket offer, although added that the funds had already been accounted for. He listed where the money had gone, with an insolvency payment swallowing up £28,000 and former benefactor John Piper, £12,000. He said the council had received £9,000, the club's programme publisher £12,000 and kit manufacturer Carbrini £34,000. Mitchell also revealed former boss Jimmy Quinn had been paid £20,000, ex-player Russell Perrett £3,000 and one-time director of football Ted Sutton £6,000. FOR MORE REACTION TO THE WINDING-UP PETITION, SEE TOMORROW'S DAILY ECHO.