Hartlepool have hit Billingham Town with a winding up petition for just £10,000.
In a new low for a football club the League One side, who play reserve team games at Billingham, had the court documents taped to the gates of Billingham's Bedford Terrace ground. The sum, which is not disputed by the Northern League side, is money spent by Pools in upgrading and maintaining the ground.
Billingham committee member Peter Martin told the local press Hartlepool had refused to discuss the matter with them, adding: "We just don't have the money to pay. We have worked hard over the last two years paying off debts left by a previous regime but this could see us off. We don't have the cash. We don't own the ground or the clubhouse and all the payers pay to play for us. Our only assets are four match balls, two strips and the nets."
Billingham face court on May 18th. They are most famous for discovering Gary Pallister, who left the club for Middlesboro as a 19 year old.
In other financial news, Southend have had to ask their supporters trust for an extra two months to repay a £60,000 short term loan handed to the club in December. The sum was due back at the end of February, but the trust have agreed to delay repayment for another two months. Their local paper reiterates comments that the players have not been paid since December, though January's wages are expected next week.