THE taxman has issued winding up proceedings against Swindon Town in the High Court for later this month over money it says it is owed by the club.

But the club says the matter has been resolved.

On Wednesday, The London Gazette published a notice detailing HM Revenue & Customs’ petition to have Swindon Town Football Company Limited wound up in the High Court.

HMRC claims to be owed an undisclosed amount by the company, whose majority shareholder is Seebeck 87, the holding company owned by Lee Power.

The petition was presented by HMRC on January 5 and a hearing of the petition, with representations from both sides, is due on Monday, February 23, at the Royal Courts of Justice in the Rolls Buildings, London.

But Swindon Town director Sangita Shah said the matter had already been resolved and the notice was simply a part of that process.

A spokesman for HMRC said: “For legal reasons, HMRC does not discuss the tax affairs of identifiable taxpayers.

“HMRC’s aim is not to wind up companies but to collect, as efficiently as we can, the debts that are due, using the range of powers available to us.

“HMRC only initiates winding-up action where it believes this is the best course of action to protect the interests of the Exchequer, in respect of a particular debt. Anyone struggling to pay an HMRC debt should call us.

“HMRC has an outstanding track record in supporting those who are experiencing genuine difficulty paying their debts, and this approach will continue.”

Petitions such as these are part of the winding-up by the court corporate insolvency process.

The Gazette notice advertises the petition has been served.

It details when the petition will be heard, and invites those who intend to appear at the hearing to support or oppose the petition to give notice of their intention.

HMRC’s official guidance advises if a company does not contact it within the period asked regarding an unpaid debt it will file a winding-up petition.

Shortly after filing, a copy of the petition is served on the company at its registered office. As a result the company’s bank account could be frozen.

If the court ruled in favour of HMRC and Town was wound up, it would go into liquidation, with a liquidator appointed who uses the company’s assets to pay its creditors.