Roddy Collins' Ebbsfleet given all-clear to start season

Ebbsfleet United will get their season underway on Saturday away to Walton & Hersham FC after a National League suspension was lifted

Roddy Collins has joined Ebbsfleeet United as a football consultant. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Roddy Collins and new Irish owner John O’Leary will belatedly begin their reign at Ebbsfleet United on Saturday after the National League lifted the club's suspension.

Businessman O'Leary appointed ex-Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians boss Collins as his football consultant recently but Ebbsfleet haven't kicked a ball this term in the English National League South due to legacy financial concerns.

His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had issued a winding-up petition over unpaid debts going back to April but O'Leary’s takeover last month enabled Ebbsfleet to fully pay HMRC and players.

They are not out of danger yet as a transfer embargo remains in place and a six-point deduction by the league's compliance and licensing committee will be applied if they fail to comply with as yet unspecified "obligations".

"We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding, as well as our players and staff for their exemplary conduct through this difficult period," a club statement read after a meeting of league officials on Tuesday night led to their reprieve.

A National League statement said: "While the committee continues to consider there are issues for the club to satisfy the league on, with regard to compliance with rules and regulations, the committee decided, in accordance with applicable regulations, that the suspension of Ebbsfleet United FC will be lifted with immediate effect. The club remains under a player registration embargo.

"The committee continues to require specified action from the club and will continue to be in close contact."

Collins over the weekend confirmed he’d begin work once the financial assurances were provided. The first-team, led by former Millwall player Josh Wright, will contest their first game of the sixth-tier season on Saturday away to Walton & Hersham FC.

"My remit is to come in, get the feel for it, listen to the supporters, and try to figure out how a club this small got into such a financial mess," Collins last week said in an extensive interview with the club's Youtube channel.

"When all that settles down, I'm moving over with my wife and I will become an integral part of the club.

“If there's a conduit here between anyone here and the owners, it'll be me and I can give my honest opinion."

The new club owner, based in Ireland and Dubai, has delegated the football aspect to the 66-year-old.

"The new owners said, 'Rod, we've bought a club. We need your help because of your expertise and experience.'

"And I like the people involved that I've met in the consortium. I turned to my wife, Caroline, the boss, and said, 'what do you think?'

"She said, 'Rod, c'mon. You've too much to offer.' So, it was either walk the beach in Spain and have a nice swim or stand here! And my commitment is here."