Wrexham Evening Leader

Reds Moving out of Red

16 December 2003

David Lovett

By David Lovett

Steve MackrethWREXHAM, who owe money to players and former directors, hope to pay those debts soon.

Cash-flow problems meant players only got half of their last month's wages and a former director of the club yesterday exclusively revealed in the EVENING LEADER he and two other ex-boardroom members were also owed money. Club chairman Mark Guterman was angry about the players' wages story getting out because he claims every player knew their wages were being split into two payments. The first of those has been paid and I understand the second payment is due on Thursday.

The club, however, was hit by another blow yesterday when one of the three directors asked to leave the board by Guterman spoke out. Steve Mackreth, Graham Jones and Phil Griffiths are each owed £7,500 - half of what they loaned the club. Mackreth claims all three were 'bombed' out by Guterman. He also claims part of the deal in agreeing to step down as directors was they would be paid in full what they had invested in the club. Mackreth, who is now on the New York-bound QE2, said before sailing from Southampton: "Part of the deal when we agreed to go was we would be repaid the money we had loaned to the club as directors. We have had some money paid in instalments, but the club are now eight months overdue in paying me.

"Unless I get the money I am still owed by January 2, 2004, my solicitors will be implementing a winding-up order on the club. I do not want that to happen, but I want the money I am owed."

Guterman asked for our exclusive story to be faxed to him last night. All he would say was: "You have reported it fairly."

We also published a letter sent by the club to Mackreth's solicitors in Wrexham. The club hope to pay off all thee former directors as soon as they get the latest stage payment of the £1 million grant from the Sports Council of Wales for the Pryce Griffiths stand at The Racecourse.

Meanwhile, Phil Griffiths, whose father sold the club to Guterman, said: "I am still owed money by the club but I'm not pressing for it. Steve Mackreth can say what he wants but from my point of view I am prepared to wait for what I'm owed in view of the present situation at the club." Jones was unavailable today.

On the playing front, manager Denis Smith today revealed centre-back Steve Roberts does not need knee surgery. He said: "We thought he may have nicked a cartilage, but he had a great training session yesterday. "Chris Armstrong wasn't running like Robbo but he didn't look too bad, either. With no game this week we should be back to near enough full strength for Saturday's game at Grimsby."