Non-League Football Club Issued Eviction Notice Over Unpaid Bills

A non-league football club has received an eviction notice due to its failure to settle outstanding payments. Tendring District Council informed FC Clacton that it must vacate Rush Green Bowl, located in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, by the conclusion of the season in May 2025. According to the council, the club had been presented with an opportunity to pay a single payment of £4,250 to lease the premises for the preceding seven years, but did not fulfill this requirement. The BBC has sought comment from FC Clacton regarding the situation. The football pitch occupies land owned by the council at Rush Green Recreation Ground, and the club has utilized it since 1987. The eviction order is not expected to impact the club’s youth teams, as they lease separate pitches within the same location. A spokesperson for the council stated that the club was offered a lease fee below the standard market rate, acknowledging its “good community work,” but declined to accept the conditions. Peter Kotz, the cabinet member for assets at the council, commented: “These negotiations have been ongoing for years and no bills have paid in that time.” He added: “We don’t want to kick the club out – but taxpayers can’t foot the bill, and we have been left in the unfortunate position that we must ask the club to vacate the site.” The Labour councillor expressed that it would be unjust to other clubs if FC Clacton were permitted to continue using the ground without paying rent. He further noted that the club could stay at the location if it settled its rental obligations. The council also indicated its desire to ascertain the whereabouts of funds collected by the club from a telecommunications mast situated on the premises. This amount was estimated at £18,000, accumulated between April 2019 and October 2023, and constituted a significant factor in the club’s reduced rent offer. Updates on Essex news are accessible via BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by the BBC, 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.