Margate have been given 12 weeks to pay money they owe to the taxman after a court ruling on Wednesday.

The Gate have managed to raise over half of what they owe to HMRC but have now been told they must produce the rest within the time frame.

It is the latest financial blow to hit the Thanet club who have previously faced a winding-up order and been denied planning permission for a potentially lucrative medical centre to be built at their Hartsdown Park home.

Margate were spared relegation to the Ryman League Division 1 South, despite finishing in the drop zone, because of teams in other divisions resigning their places. They could be set to struggle again if funds are not made available for squad rebuilding.

A statement on their website says the club will have to raise a significant amount of cash quickly.

It says: "The directors still have a mammoth task ahead of them, in not only raising this money but also sufficient money to fund a squad to bring us success this coming season."