BASINGSTOKE Town vice chairman Steve Murfitt says the club are "very disappointed" they have to pay towards the Isthmian League's failed legal bid to halt changes to non-league football.

Town have to pay £750 plus VAT to help alleviate the Isthmian League's £60,000 costs - incurred after the mounted challenge to the formation of the new Conference set-up was dismissed.

And, with finances very tight at the Camrose, it is money the club cannot afford to lose.

Mr Murfitt said: "We are already cash struck, and now have to find around £800 we don't have.

"The worst thing is, it's for a matter that wasn't ever discussed among members when the Isthmian League started its legal challenge.

"There was never any announcement that said clubs would have to pay towards the legal costs of the bid. That's what has angered a lot of people.

"The club is very disappointed, but we have no choice but to pay.

"If we don't pay, then we'd lose our status and then we wouldn't get into the new set-up."

The Isthmian League's opposition to non-league restructuring was "unanimously" ended by the FA earlier this month - a decision that left the Isthmian League with a hefty legal bill.

Following the dismissal of proceedings at Soho Square by the FA, the Isthmian League announced it was staging a special meeting whereby attendance was mandatory.

Mr Murfitt and Town secretary Richard Trodd numbered among those representatives from member clubs who, last Friday night, were informed by Isthmian chiefs that clubs would have to foot the bill.

Attendees were informed the Isthmian League was invoking a special rule to solicit payment.

It angered many at the meeting because they did not want the Isthmian League to pursue the legal action it did.

Mr Murfitt said: "There were people at the meeting who thought about not paying, but the Isthmian League rules have a special rule that caters for situations like this.

"Its argument is that if the clubs can afford to pay the fees to get registered for the new set-up, they can afford the £750 plus VAT."

But the matter does not end there.

Mr Murfitt explained: "The FA's legal costs have yet to be decided, but we believe a similar amount of money will have to be found.

"So we'll face losing £1,500 on nothing. It's not good at all with things the way they are at the club."

Town have 14 days from last Friday to pay the £750 plus VAT - the fee Ryman premier and first division clubs had to find.

Clubs in the Isthmian's other divisions have to pay £350 plus VAT.