Daily Post

Former director 'mischief making'

16 December 2003

Mark Currie
By Mark Currie, Daily Post

Steve MackrethA FORMER Wrexham FC director has issued the club with an ultimatum for the repayment of the £7,500 outstanding on a £15,000 loan made during his 10 years on the board.

Steve Mackreth, who in his own words "was bombed out of the club" by current chairman Mark Guterman following his June 2002 take-over at the Racecourse, has instructed solicitors to issue a winding-up order against the Second Division outfit unless he is repaid before January 2.

Last night Guterman declined to comment but a source at the club described Mackreth's decision to go public as "mischief-making" following the Daily Post's revelation last week that a temporary cash-flow crisis had resulted in the players and staff agreeing to monthly wages being paid in two instalments.

Racecourse managing director David Rhodes recently informed Mackreth's solicitors that he would get his money as soon as the club receives the latest stage payment of a £1m grant from Sportlot that was awarded in respect of the construction of the Pryce Griffiths stand in 1999.

Two other directors, Graham Jones and Phil Griffiths, who left the board at the same time as Mackreth, are also owed £7,500 each and are understood to be happy with that assurance.

The club insider said: "Steve is still upset he is no longer a director and when the changes were made his name was first on the list.

"Graham and Phil are still very supportive of the club. They appreciate that times are hard for small clubs like ours and they are willing to be patient."

Mackreth, who yesterday set sail on the QE2 to New York for a break until Christmas Eve, could not be contacted.