Erith & Belvedere Football Club chairman Paul Springett appeals for financial help as Park View Road-based club struggles to remain afloat

Erith & Belvedere chairman Paul Springett has revealed the club came close to folding last month as he launched an appeal for investment to help secure their future.

The club plays its home games at Welling United’s Park View Road and remains in a “perilous financial position” as they deal with legacy debts.

A statement from the chairman comes as the first team sits bottom of the Southern Counties East Premier Division, having suffered seven defeats from their opening eight games under former Millwall striker Gary Alexander.

Springett says the club was “genuinely facing the possibility” of closing its doors for good just over a month ago.

He said: “Erith & Belvedere remains in a perilous financial position as we continue to deal with legacy debts. These are incredibly difficult times, and running a football club at this level is becoming harder by the day.

“Just over a month ago, we were genuinely facing the possibility of the club closing its doors for good.

“A High Court writ had to be paid in full to ensure the club could continue, and although that secured our immediate future, it has put an enormous strain on the club’s finances.

“It has been a huge struggle.

“But we are still here.

“And that is down to the people who continue to believe.”

Springett praised the management team and players for continuing to support the club despite its financial difficulties.

He said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have a management team and group of players who continue to give everything for this club, with many effectively working for little or nothing because they believe in what we are trying to build.

“That means more to me than I can put into words.”

The chairman also highlighted the club’s youth set-up, with 17 teams now