29/09/2026
Statement from the previous Club Officers and Committee:
For those of you who have read the Teddington Town article or have seen the SGM notice outside the Club: the previous Club committee would like to clarify some reporting errors.
SGM Notice outside Club:
“As you will be aware, due to financial irregularities, the RBLTC went into administration…”
RBLTC has ceased trading as it is no longer financially viable. To be clear, no funds have been stolen or misappropriated.
The financial irregularities relate to the discovery that a Club Officer deposited in excess of £65,000 of their personal funds into the Club's bank account over a period of approximately three years. Documentary evidence exists to support these deposits.
Prior to this disclosure, the Club was unaware of the extent of its financial position, as these contributions had not been transparently reported. Once the situation came to light, the Committee acted immediately to investigate the matter and take appropriate action, culminating in the convening of the first Special General Meeting (SGM) on 2 July.
Based on the information now available, it is believed that the Club had effectively been operating while financially insolvent for several years. Had these personal funds not been introduced, it is likely that the Club would have ceased trading considerably earlier and entered an orderly closure process at that time. In such circumstances, the intention would have been to establish a new club entity and continue operations under a new structure, similar to the approach currently being undertaken by Cambridge House Club.
While the circumstances surrounding the undisclosed financial support are serious and required immediate action, there is no evidence that any Club funds were stolen, misappropriated, or otherwise used improperly.
Teddington Town Article:
“….our Articles of Association provide that if we fail, any money the club has will not be split among members so it cannot be deliberately run down in the expectation of a payout – as was the case with the previous committee.”
These allegations are both deeply upsetting and entirely unfounded.
The majority of the Club's Officers and Committee members had served continuously since before 2018 and dedicated a significant amount of their time and effort, on a voluntary basis, to supporting the Club. Throughout this period, we successfully steered the Club through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and an exceptionally difficult trading environment for the pub and club sector as a whole. We also organised and delivered numerous events to support our members and maintain the Club's position within the local community.
Any suggestion that the Committee deliberately ran the Club down in order to facilitate a sale is categorically false. Our objective throughout was to preserve the Club's future, and Committee members worked tirelessly, without remuneration, to achieve that goal.
Ultimately, despite those efforts, the Club's financial position proved unsustainable, and it was determined that continued operation was no longer viable. This led to the decision to close the Club and establish a new organisation, a course of action that was approved by members at the Special General Meeting held on 2 July 2026.
While the outcome is understandably disappointing for everyone involved, the decision was made solely in response to the Club's financial circumstances and in the best interests of its members.
