Shrimpers Fined Over LDV Fiasco

The Shrimpers reportedly failed to pay the U’s their share of the 9,603-gate money gleaned for the 1-1 draw with the north Essex club which secured United’s place in their first-ever national final. The figure has now been paid, some seven days late, but that appears to have angered Colchester, who have complained to the Football League.

However, Blues’ director Ron Martin, who sits on the executive board of the League alongside Peter Heard, the U’s chairman, has dismissed the fine. He told the Echo, “The whole thing is utter nonsense and we haven’t paid the fine yet. The accounts departments of both clubs agreed to net off the gate receipts from both games prior to the matches”.

Martin continued, “We would then send the balance to Colchester as nearly twice as many spectators attended the Roots Hall match, than the first leg at Layer Road”. He did concede that the payment had been late, stating, “The payment was late, by maybe a week, but Colchester were very hot off the mark and complained to the Football League. We have refused to pay this money [the fine] as the whole situation is ludicrous”.

And the director, who will shortly be called upon to decide whether Steve Tilson ought to be handed the Roots Hall hotseat on a permanent basis, revealed that finally there would be some communication between the two clubs, “I have written to the Colchester chairman, Peter Heard, who I sit with on the Football League board, and told him I thought the whole situation was nonsence”. Meanwhile, the fine is expected to be increased by one per cent each day it remains unpaid.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com