A debt to HM Revenue and Customs was behind the winding-up application made against the Blues at the High Court in London this morning, which was dismissed.

At a brief hearing Fiona Dewar, counsel for HMRC, confirmed that the tax debt had been paid in full and asked for the case to be dismissed.

Outside the court Town’s counsel, Charles Sinclair, who had also asked for the case to be dismissed, wouldn’t comment on the sum involved.

Earlier, MD Ian Milne outlined the situation to Radio Suffolk, while a club spokesperson told TWTD in a statement: “A service provider issued a court petition for non-payment between Christmas and New Year whereby their automated process accelerated this action despite an agreement for payment to be made early January.

“The creditor subsequently withdrew the petition on receipt of payment and this will be dismissed at the hearing today.”

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 13:43 - Feb 22 I thought the debt was to a service provider?
2

KuqiCoup added 13:45 - Feb 22 So it's a familiar case of not wanting to spend any money? I'm assuming we had to rely on a loan?
2

carsey added 13:49 - Feb 22 I don't see that paying the tax man at the last minute is a problem. So long as the club is paying staff and local small businesses promptly all is fine by me
0

JustSpivvyChops added 14:02 - Feb 22 Ahhhhhhh yes, that famous old "service provider".......HMRC I was only ever advised of one thing by EVERYBODY in business "don't f**k with the tax man".
7

NSL added 14:11 - Feb 22 How far do things have to go with HMRC for the next stage to be a winding up order? Pretty far I would imagine but would love to understand the reality of the situation. Most people don't delay payment to the tax man because it usually comes with penalties and fines so its all a bit odd to me.
4

NSL added 14:17 - Feb 22 An HMRC spokesman said: "Our aim is to efficiently collect the debts due and to prevent things deteriorating further. "We only initiate winding-up action where we believe this is the best way to protect both the interests of other taxpayers and creditors." Slightly worrying comment isn't it? Do they mean they wouldn't have done it to a solvent company?
2

commuterblue added 14:20 - Feb 22 I remain a supporter of the current ownership and management team and am grateful to the millions Evans continues to put into our club. But for his appointee to describe HMRC as a service provider is ridiculous.
0

spiegal added 14:24 - Feb 22 Can anyone on here imagine dear the old Cobbold Brothers allowing this ???? In my opinion says everything.
8

RaymondovicBlue added 14:31 - Feb 22 Sorry but there are only two reasons for late payment of an amount owing - so late as to involve winding up orders .... either we couldn't pay or we just couldn't be bothered to pay HMRC represents our Government - our society - and effectively you and me.... why is it ok to pay them/us late ? I am sure it was just cash flow issues - but to get as far as winding up orders it HAD to be very well over due Sorry IM - but we know the score ... and how much did this late payment cost us in interest and fines, as well as the cost of the legal representation on the day?? Sad. Very sad.

7

WindsorBlue added 14:52 - Feb 22 @Raymondovic, HMRC also allowed Barclays to get away with a 1% corporation tax bill, yet rather than make them pay what they rightfully owe, but cleverly don't pay, they pinch every inch from smaller companies. If they concentrated on the big fish, they could leave things that mean a lot to communities alone.
0

itsonlyme added 15:15 - Feb 22 Nonsense story for those who want to criticise the club at every turn!
0

portman_blue added 15:24 - Feb 22 HMRC = useless w@nkers. They did exactly the same to my local club AFC Telford Utd, taking them to court a couple of months ago for a 'debt' that had already been paid. It's only our (taxpayer's) money that's being wasted on court fees etc.
2

essex57 added 16:10 - Feb 22 Oh dear another news thread that shows a little bit of knowledge in the wrong hands can be a dangerous thing
-1

atty added 16:31 - Feb 22 Service provider my arse! As mentioned above things have to get pretty bad with HMRC before make application for a winding up order. Statements from the Club seem somewhat disingenuous. Would have thought with money for Cresswell and Mings and slavish commitment to FFP, that the Club would pay HMRC as a priority.
5

therein61 added 16:48 - Feb 22 Well shame on us for being the 1st company to be late with a tax payment LOL!!!!
2

Seasider added 16:59 - Feb 22 M D's of companies always have some excuse;but the fact that he said it was a Service Provider,either means Milne doesn't know what is going on or is telling porkys. As I said previously it was reported some time ago,during Evans tenure that there had been a misunderstanding about an unpaid/late debt payment;and this puts traders dealing with the club on alert, especially those that were caught under the Administration. The club could therefor be faced with shorter credit terms or COD

2

BigAlsMate added 17:01 - Feb 22 I think your sentiments sum up pretty much how I feel about this story @spiegal . What should we expect from the world's biggest ticket tout?
5

phillo added 17:22 - Feb 22 I'm sorry but at the risk of being accused of scaremongering and or not being a proper fan this in all reality is slightly worrying. Whether it is the fact that this "debt" went as far as the issue of a winding up order or the fact that the club sort of tried to cover it up by saying it was a "service provider" ...... all a bit suss to me. Let's not panic at this stage as all seems to have been sorted out but well run, solvent business don't get to this stage often ...... when added to the "apparent" attempt to play down/dismiss I equally don't think you can dismiss this as easily as some are ...... Fingers crossed it is just a blip ......

4

blueboy1981 added 17:55 - Feb 22 Another somewhat strange affair associated with our Club - I thought we'd seen / heard the last of such things. FACT is - We Know nothing, and probably less, as time goes by. Not exactly the best publicity tho' for the name :- IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB. Especially when we have such a rich owner ........ !!!!
0

Cloddyseedbed added 17:57 - Feb 22 Not nice to hear these stories coming out. I hear local business's are not happy with the payment terms and late payments made by the club. Some refuse to supply the club until far overdue invoices are paid.Some refuse to deal with it at all. That is not how I like to run my business. What the hell is really going on, is it cash flow problems, bad management or is the club facing an uncertain future?

4

menacinho added 18:05 - Feb 22 This is how ME works. He pays everyone at the very last minute, whether it's the shop on the corner or HMRC. It doesn't win many friends that's for sure.
2

jas0999 added 18:13 - Feb 22 I'm afraid ME is getting a reputation for paying very late. Some businesses can't wait for payment and spend much needed cash to chase the club. Poor transfer strategy on top of the regular taking fans for fool, and frankly I've had enough of this unambitious mystery owner.
1

purplealien added 18:13 - Feb 22 IM: Marcus, the fans are getting restless. They want you to spend more money on players! ME: OK. Let's make out we're skint. Just be a bit slow paying the tax man, that'll do the trick.
2

Mark added 18:21 - Feb 22 I know Bolton are having to defend a winding up order, but it was a big surprise to hear ITFC mentioned in relation to one. Surely a situation has to get rather serious to get anywhere near that point. Given that and the lack of transfer funds in January, should fans be worried? I expect ITFC to pay bills on time. I paid my money to them on time, in fact three years up front for a three year season ticket. I somehow doubt they would accept it if I wanted to pay later.

4

braveblue added 18:21 - Feb 22 Does our MD have any idea what is going on? A service provider? What a ridiculous comment. Bit like him saying we will reinvest transfer fees in the team.
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