Camden New Journal - News: Homeless football club faces reality of closure

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Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 19 April 2007

Kentish Town football club pictured at the Wingate and Finchley ground

Homeless football club faces reality of closure

Successful on the field, but team lacks cash backing and a ground

KENTISH Town football club is facing financial meltdown and could close in the summer.
The club, a semi-professional outfit which plays in Division One of the Midlands-South Spartans League, has been looking for its own ground in Camden since it was established in 1994. Unless it finds a backer, or its own home, it will fold.
The club, nicknamed the Bedouins because of its search for a permanent ground, has played “home” matches at neighbouring clubs Wembley, Wingate and Finchley, and Hendon.
Last season Kentish Town ground-shared with Potters Bar, but its travels look like ending as the board has to find about £15,000 to pay for next season’s campaign. With no gate receipts coming in, the club has no income.
Club secretary Cliff Rhodes said: “On the field of play we are very successful. We have some great talent.
“But off the field things are not so rosy, and it all boils down to money.”
The team currently lies sixth in its league. Its coach is former Nigerian international Clement Temille, whose son Toto plays centre forward for Israel.
Players are treated as semi-professionals but waive their wages and pay all their own fines to help keep the club afloat.
Mr Rhodes added: “We don’t have a proper income because we do not have turnstiles. We have relied in the past on sponsorship and the chairman has bankrolled us. Now we need more donations to save the club.”
Spartans League rules state that grounds only need changing rooms and a perimeter fence. The former North London polytechnic ground in Tufnell Park would be suitable.
Other suggested bases for the club include the Enclosure cricket pitch on Hampstead Heath or the sports field in the centre of Parliament Hill running track. Mr Rhodes said: “We have a great pool of players and could give Kentish Town its own, dedicated professional Football League club. We are not that far off it. It would be a tragedy if we had to fold.”
Kentish Town ward Lib Dem councillor Ralph Scott has been offering advice to the club on how to find backers and a ground.
He said: “We have discussed putting together a strong business plan to make sure potential investors know the aims of the club.
“I have also suggested they speak to Voluntary Action Camden to get advice about running community clubs.”

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