SALISBURY City will be docked ten points after yesterday’s announcement that the club has entered administration, confirms the Blue Square Premier.

A league statement said: “The Board of Directors has received verbal confirmation of Salisbury City Football Club’s application to enter Administration being approved by the High Court on Thursday 3rd September 2009. In accordance with Membership Rule 14 the Club will, subject to its right of Appeal, incur a deduction of ten points.”

The deduction means the Whites drop from 13th to second-bottom on zero points, above Chester City who were docked 25 points before the season.

However Forest Green Rovers only have one point and there are four other teams with less than six, with Salisbury about to face two home games in four days – Luton Town on Saturday and Grays Athletic on Tuesday.

As administrator Carl Faulds said: “The best thing that fans can do is to continue to attend matches in big numbers, to buy merchandise and offer general support, as this can only help the club.”

“It’s vital people keep coming to watch us,” added general manager Nick Holmes.

“Good crowds will help us massively.

“We only had around 750 for our Bank Holiday match with Eastbourne. The difference between that figure and the 1,100 we had for the game before that is monstrous.

“It makes such a difference to us financially.

“It’s now up to the fans to show the investors that the club is worth saving, by turning up to home games in force and creating a fantastic atmosphere.”

Kick off is at 3pm. Admission is £13 (adults), £9 (concessions), £7 (students), £3 (under-16s). Only visiting supporters need to book in advance. Car parking is £2.

For coverage of the administration, see the news section: http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/4580046.Administrators_appointed_at_Salisbury_City_Football_Club/ and http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/4581360.Supporters_urged_to__keep_faith__with_club/

For the full statement, see: http://www.salisburycity-fc.co.uk/news_article.php?slug=holmes-urges-city-supporters-to-keep-the-faith&id=207

Defender Luke Ruddick could make his first appearance of the campaign, following a facial injury in pre-season.

Bradley Gray is unavailable after picking up an ankle injury in training.

Luton were relegated from Coca-Cola League Two last season, having been docked 30 points – ten for financial irregularities, and 20 for exiting administration without a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

They fought gamely and with their 30 points restored would have finished comfortably safe in 15th, but they finished bottom, ending their 89-year stay in the Football League.

They restored pride by winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, beating Scunthorpe United 3-2 at Wembley.

Mick Harford’s men were favourites to win the Blue Square Premier and they have made a strong start, going unbeaten in their first seven games, with their fine run continuing on Tuesday night with a facile 3-0 victory over Crawley Town.

The Whites will be buoyant though, after Monday’s thrilling 4-3 win at Hayes & Yeading United, in which Matt Tubbs notched a hat-trick.

“In terms of infrastructure, the level of their football and their number of players, Luton should beat us,” said Salisbury manager Tommy Widdrington.

“The only reason they are here is because they had 30 points deducted.

“But I always tell the players that the opposition are just 11 pairs of arms and 11 pairs of legs, and we have to look them in the eyes.

“I want our backyard to be a fortress and I don’t want anyone sticking any flags in it.”

The Whites have done business with the Hatters in recent years, midfielder Rob Sinclair and defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye having moved on loan from Kenilworth Road in 2007-08.

Sinclair made his move to Salisbury permanent that summer, but Luton opted to keep Asafu-Adjaye.

Former Southampton utility player Alan Neilson, who made five appearances for the Whites in 2007, is on Harford’s coaching staff.

*Supporters are welcome to stay behind after the game in the club’s Sarum Suite to watch England’s televised international at Wembley against Slovenia.

Hot food will be available in the club’s bar and those present will be entitled to a free drink when England score their first goal.

A club spokesman said: “We’re hoping for a good crowd for the game but we’re aware people might want to race home to see the England match on TV.

“But rather than being stuck in a traffic jam as people try to leave the ground, why not stay behind and watch the match in the Sarum Suite.

“We’ll make sure there’s hot food available at a reasonable price and when England score their first goal we’ll stand a free pint to everyone in the bar.”

*Fans are reminded that Wilts & Dorset will run a special bus service to and from the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on match days this season.

See this previous story for full details: http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/sport/salisburycityfc/scfcnews/4545288.New_bus_service_to_Ray_Mac/