FEARS for the future of Wivenhoe Town Football Club are escalating today.A meeting has now been called to discuss the Broad Lane club's financial problems.

Mike Bacon

FEARS for the future of Wivenhoe Town Football Club are escalating today.

A meeting has now been called to discuss the Broad Lane club's financial problems.

Chief executive Nick Murphy-Whymark has made an impassioned plea to businesses in the area to attend the talks, which will be held at Broad Lane next Thursday.

The Dragons, riding high in the Ridgeons League Premier Division, recently terminated the contract of manager Richard Carter last week and although Carter has tabled a bid to buy the club, said to be around £60,000, the future for Wivenhoe appears uncertain.

On the field things appear to be going well, but behind-the-scenes there are problems.

“I do not think it is any exaggeration to say that we need to find a workable solution to the club's problem very quickly or it may well simply cease to exist and that would be a terrible blow to local football and the community of Wivenhoe as a whole,” said Murphy-Whymark.

“This really will be a meeting to talk about the past few days to offer an insight to the club's current position and hopefully to look to the future.

“This meeting is one for supporters as well as the larger community, really anyone who can bring something to the table, offers of help with some of the many jobs around the place or financial assistance through either contacts or personal investment.”

Murphy-Whymark added that the past had seen some supporters suffer disillusionment in the club and its direction, but was keen to stress that this is a new beginning for Wivenhoe Town.

“I would like to appeal to all supporters past and present to attend this meeting as Wivenhoe Town FC needs your support now more than it ever has,” he added.

Part of the plan will be to ask the businesses and residents of Wivenhoe to display blue and yellow ribbons in the windows of shops and homes to show some support for the club.

“I hope such a display will prove to prospective backers that there is a real support and wish in the community for the club to do well,” he added.

Everyone is welcome to attend next Thursday's meeting.