National League South club suspended and unable to fulfill opening three fixtures

National League South club Ebbsfleet United have been suspended from the league with their opening three fixtures postponed.

Concerns have been raised about the club’s financial position and they had recently been subject to a winding up petition by HM Revenue and Customs [HMRC].

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The Fleet, who are managed by former Millwall, Leyton Orient and Gillingham player Josh Wright, have until 5pm on Tuesday, August 18 to provide satisfactory evidence that they can meet their financial obligations for the upcoming season.

The National League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee will review the case on August 19. 

As a result, their opening three fixtures against Slough Town, Folkestone Invicta and Chelmsford City have been postponed.

National League statement

In a statement, the league said: “The National League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee convened on 5 August 2026, following recent correspondence and information relevant to the club, to further consider ongoing issues regarding Ebbsfleet United FC and its financial position.

“The club, which competes in the National League South, has previously been found in breach of National League regulations and is under embargo.

“One significant issue is settlement of PAYE liabilities dating back to April 2026, which led to HM Revenue & Customs reportedly issuing a winding-up petition against the club.  

“The Committee considered ongoing non-compliance, in particular under Appendix H of the National League Financial Reporting Initiative.

“Appendix D Clause 4.3 of the National League Financial Reporting Initiative relates to a club’s ongoing obligations in relation to its financial position. The Committee determined that these obligations are not met to its satisfaction, specifically regarding the club’s ability to meet its financial obligations throughout the 2026/27 Season.

“Following careful consideration, the Committee has taken the decision under applicable regulations to suspend Ebbsfleet United FC, with a review to be undertaken by the Committee on 19 August. As a result of suspension, at this time, the club will not be able to fulfil the opening three fixtures of the coming Season.
“A detailed letter has been issued to the club today, setting out the Committee’s decision. Ebbsfleet United FC has until 5.00pm on Tuesday 18 August to provide satisfactory evidence that its obligations have been and will be met in accordance with applicable regulations.

“The club remains subject to embargo until such time as the Committee is satisfied that relevant matters have been resolved.

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“Opponent clubs for the first three published fixtures have been informed of the decision. Others have also been informed, including the Independent Football Regulator.”

Ebbsfleet statement 

Ebbsfleet also released a statement explaining its position in relation to the winding up petition and the suspension from the league.

The statement read: “The club were informed by The National League at 9.31am this morning that, after a committee meeting last night on August 5, they have come to the decision to suspend the club for the first 3 matches of the season.

“The first 3 league matches will be postponed and re-scheduled for a later date.

“Obviously, for our playing group, management , staff and most importantly supporters, this has come as a shock and is extremely upsetting.

“The league wrote to club owners last week in response to the HMRC winding up petition and requested assurances around the debt and other liabilities and asked for a response by midday yesterday ( August 5)

“We had been advised these debts would be satisfied in time and our statement of August 4 outlined that.

“The owner’s letter of response to the league yesterday proposed the HMRC debt would be cleared by the end of August once a full transfer of ownership had taken place and the league in their letter this morning have highlighted that inconsistency in undertakings by the ownership.

“The league’s letter today also identifies their concerns around the club’s budgeting for the coming season and debt position , although that information was presented on July 10 with the club’s budget pack to the league within compliant timelines. 

“Vetting and financial checks for the new proposed ownership and takeover have taken place over the last 12 months and were approved by the league on May 1 in writing. 

“However, with the recent overturning of the Northfleet Harbourside development, the league have also raised concerns around the club’s financial viability, debt that has been placed into the club and how it is treated.

“The league have provided the owners until 10am on August 19 to rectify its position and demonstrate this to the league.

“Obviously our players, staff and supporters have taken a number of blows in the last week, none of which is within their control or a result of their work or actions, and we ask for understanding and care during this time while the ownership situation is solved. 

“Everyone has worked so hard and completed an excellent pre-season and we look forward to this being rectified and demonstrating the results of that hard work throughout the season.”