Hook happy to stand down for new Borough investment

The Privett Park club are under a transfer embargo and in the process of repaying debts owed to HMRC.

Gosport’s players are behind on their wages but plans are understood to be in place to rectify the situation.

Hook revealed Borough’s squad, who entertain fellow National League South play-off-chasers Oxford City tomorrow (3pm), were handed part of the money owed to them at training on Thursday night, although are still to be fully paid up.

And the chairman, who forms part of a six-man board of directors at Gosport, has welcomed the idea of new investment into the cash-strapped club.

He said: ‘My fellow directors know my view of new investment.

‘And providing it is a football person who wants to invest in the club, then we are always willing to talk to them.

‘I am more than happy to stand down should someone want to come in and say “here is a substantial sum of money”.

‘But we will continue to work for the club and work hard because we know that we can be successful.

‘There is a board of directors, six of us.

‘Nobody owns the club – it is a community club.

‘Everyone is a volunteer.

‘Right the way from the guys in the tea hut, to the stewards, turnstile operators, ball boys and directors at the club – all work tirelessly to raise money to ensure the players get paid.’

Hook yesterday told The News that Gosport’s unpaid tax bill is less than £5,000, with cash flow from unpaid sponsorship the primary reason for missed payments.

The Borough chairman was able to deliver some good news, though, with the players receiving a portion of their unpaid wages on Thursday night.

Hook added: ‘We have a working solution.

‘The players got paid on Thursday – just another bit.

‘They were all at training and we are always in constant dialogue with them.’

– JEFF MARSHMAN