CHESHAM United are set to be served with a winding up order over an unpaid tax bill, the Free Press can reveal.

Customs and Excise officers have told the club that they are instructing their solicitors over the unpaid debt of £11,000.

United spokesman Alan Calder confirmed on Thusday that United are expecting the letter, which will summons them to court, within the next few days.

He said: "They have told us that the next time we hear from them it will be through their solicitors."

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise department said: "We cannot give any details about individual cases until they come to court."

But they added they would do all they can to work with Chesham.

Just last month United launched a £40,000 appeal among fans to help keep the club afloat.

But that has so far recieved only a lukewarm response from townspeople.

Despite the threat of court action, United say they will find the money from somewhere and insist that they will be able to take their place in the Southern League next season although with other less pressing debts than the tax bill as well it is not clear where the money will come from.

They have verbally agreed an extension to their groundshare deal with tenants Southall, which will bring in some cash, but nowhere near enough to see off the taxmen.

Many fans are thought to be pinning their hopes on former Meadow chairman Phil Morgan.

The wealthy motor racing man resigned as chairman last month after ploughing more than £100,000 into the club. He quit saying he could no longer afford to keep putting his time and money into the club.

But he remains involved with the Meadow outfit and several supporters are hoping that, after bailing the club out on numerous other occasions in the past, he will do so one more time to keep the club afloat.

Meanwhile, United are set to hold a meeting next week at which they will discuss fundraising iniatives.

But they have been snubbed by the football family. Not one Football League club has agreed to visit them for what might have been a money-spinning pre-season friendly.

Anyone who wants to help the club should contact David Stanley on 01494 783964.