WORRIED Salisbury City fans voiced their opinion on their club's financial situation after attending a supporters' club meeting last night.

Among those at The Vestry in Milford Street, who heard owner Mark Winter outline the issues, was chairman of Salisbury's supporters' club Ross Martin, who described the situation as “crazy”.

The 21-year-old has been involved with the Whites for six years. He said: “I'm disappointed more than anything.”

“When I met Otail Touzar last month I honestly thought he was brilliant. He said all the right things and was so excited.

“I asked him why he chose to invest in us and he said it was because Salisbury had potential.”

Mr Martin, like other City fans, has already paid £210 for his new season ticket which he doesn't think he will get back.

Also involved in the supporters' club is secretary and vice chairman Trevor Purse.

“It's the kind of thing you read about and don't expect it to happen to your own football club,” Mr Purse said.

If Salisbury fail to pay outstanding debts to the Football Conference by 5pm they will be expelled from the division.

If that happens, City could suffer another double demotion to Southern Premier or drop down even further to the Wessex League.

If no debts are cleared, there's also a chance the club could fold. If that's the case, fans are talking about forming a phoenix club, which is a team that reforms under a different name like Chester FC and AFC Wimbledon have done in the past.

Mr Purse added: “The prospect of not having any football to watch at weekends is devastating. And the idea of having a phoenix club won't work.”

“It's heartbreaking, considering all the hours I and other committee members have put into the club.”

FANS

Thom Belk

“Things have been bad for a while. It's unbelievable that someone can behave like Otail has. It's the kind of thing you see in soap operas.”

Ray Neal

“I've supported this club for nearly 30 years, and started watching them when they were playing at Victoria Park. Football is my life and I don't know what I'll do if there's no longer a club to support.

“I knew there was a lot of debt involved, and everyone had their doubts from the start. I've researched Otail but can't find anything.”