I know some of you are getting a bit bored of this now, but this has just been released by BTFC in response to the statement on the Hartlepool United Website http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/page/ ... 17,00.html
"In response to a statement on Hartlepool United's web site, Billingham Town F.C. Limited would like to make the following points:
A payment by a Billingham Town committee man of £700 was paid to Hartlepool United F.C. towards the cost of a second hand grasscutter, however when Hartlepool sent a threatening letter to prevent Billingham Town F.C. from playing on Billingham Town F.C.'s pitch, this person stopped his monthly payments and he has not received his initial payment back.
Hartlepool United claim that the document was signed by a director of Billingham Town F.C., this is not so as Mr. T. V. Donnelly has been the sole director for numerous years and the document was not signed by a director of Billingham Town F.C. Limited.
The document states that it had to be ratified by Stockton Borough Council (who B.T.F.C. lease the ground from) and Stockton Borough Council did not have sight of this document until a year later, although they were aware of the document.
The committee of Billingham Town F.C. did not know about this document until the initial invoice was received by B.T.F.C. Ltd. and this was then brought to their attention.
Relations with Hartlepool United turned sour prior to Billingham Town's first game of the season in August 2009 when Hartlepool United removed the goalposts without the knowledge of Billingham Town F.C. prior to Town's first game of the season.
Billingham Town F.C. Limited will fight this case vigorously and thank supporters of both Billingham Town F.C. and Hartlepool United for their support.
Billingham Town F.C. Limited hoped that the situation could be resolved by dialogue between the two parties, but as this case will now be decided through legal proceedings Billingham Town F.C. Limited will only be making comments through director Mr. T. V. Donnelly or through their solicitor."