Plans in place for Social Club future - if it survives tax battle

However, all of those suggestions depend upon the Slemish Drive venue surviving its current battle with the taxman.

Last week’s Ballymena Times revealed that the long-established venue faces the threat of closure over an unpaid £39,000 VAT bill to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

A special meeting took place at the club’s premises on Saturday night which was well attended by members past and present, representatives of the Seven Towers Ballymena United Supporters’ Club, football fans and other club users.

Chairman Sloan Gibson read a statement explaining the predicament facing the club and what he believed to be the underlying issues. This was followed by a question and answer session lasting around an hour.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Gibson said that the situation has not changed.

“Yes, we had several proposals but they all depend on being able to survive this dilemma. Members present have made pledges to assist the club and hopefully HMRC will listen to our proposals.”

The club has been a long-standing venue in the area, playing host to various functions and meetings of sporting, charitable and other organisations.

“The premises are and always have been available to the Ballymena community at no charge.

“We have never approached Ballymena Borough Council for any funding or assistance for any functions or charitable events but we feel the Council might give us a hand now to keep this club open - a club that has been here for 45 years and which wants to serve the community for another 45 years.

“One other way in which the Council could help would be to designate the new Warden Street stand as the home stand and we could look at re-opening the previous entrance direct from the club into the ground, allowing home supporters to move freely between both venues before, during and after matches,” added Sloan.