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Sport

Ebbsfleet United supporters question the club in an open letter

By: Steve Tervet

Published: 23:17, 08 May 2019

Updated: 23:23, 08 May 2019

Ebbsfleet United supporters have raised their concerns in an open letter to the club.

They've called for an urgent response to questions relating to stability and professionalism as well as the continued late payment of wages.

The letter, originally published on the unofficial Ebbsfleet Utd fan page on Facebook, has also been sent direct to the club.

Ebbsfleet fans have written an open letter to the club Picture: Andy Payton

It said: "It now seems a distant memory; our football club being saved from imminent extinction, embracing the new Kuwaiti owner and saviour with his wealth and commitment to building a brighter future for the club, both on and off the pitch.

"We as supporters appreciate the vast investment already made by Dr Al-Humaidi, who has also continually said he wants to make the club financially self-sufficient, which he reiterated during the recent Supporters Trust consultation.

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"However, continual delayed staff salary payments due to lack of cleared funds to cover the payroll and apparent delays in transferring additional funds from Kuwait, together with outstanding payments to the training ground, late filing of returns, winding-up orders, legal entanglements etc has caused enormous unrest within the team and justifiable concerns from the loyal base of supporters.

"This season the playing squad have consistently exceeded expectations on the pitch, especially remarkable given the consistent delays in paying them on time and the personal complications that this must have caused them. We want to thank them for their steadfast commitment and achievements given the circumstances and wish them the best for the future.

Ebbsfleet chairman Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi Picture: Andy Payton

"Now we have reached the end of the 2018/19 season, the club has decided not to renew any playing staff's expiring contracts and we are now left without a team of players to support.

"This now leaves our manager Garry Hill with a very difficult close season to source a new playing squad to compliment the handful of remaining players, seemingly on a more sustainable budget with less reliance on investment from the owner.

"Dr Al-Humaidi has also stated that planned redevelopment at the Stonebridge Road ground will no longer go ahead unless necessary.

"Considering all the points raised and the negative press this has generated, it begs the questions; what players would now want to sign for Ebbsfleet United? Who would want to sponsor Ebbsfleet United?

"The only remaining consistent factor is the ever-committed band of supporters, who will follow the club no matter what, but given the aforementioned reasons may no longer consistently attend games.

Ebbsfleet fans show their appreciation for goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore Picture: Andy Payton

"In conclusion, the supporters are the repeat customer base of Ebbsfleet United and as 'customers' we have a choice to continue buying/investing our own money.

"If the club wants to salvage any remaining respect and regain trust in order to secure sponsorship and ticket sales it should clarify the following:

"We would appreciate a public response within the next seven days."

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