Western Mail

Wrexham bid to stop hearing fails
By Darren Devine, Western Mail

3/11/04

Inland RevenueWREXHAM'S bid to prevent a High Court hearing on November 17 to wind-up the club has failed and they now stand just eight weeks away from administration, it was claimed yesterday.

Director Dave Bennett said efforts to persuade the Inland Revenue to withdraw its High Court petition against the club have proved fruitless.

Bennett blamed Wrexham owner Alex Hamilton, saying he twice failed to turn up for meetings with Revenue officials in September to discuss the club's position.

Developer Hamilton, who also owns the freehold to Wrexham's Racecourse home, has given the club notice to leave the stadium by next July.

It is thought Hamilton, who apparently quit as club chairman on Friday before withdrawing his resignation, wants to sell off the town-centre ground and move Wrexham to a smaller out-of-town stadium.

Following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull City the players were paid around 50 per cent of their salaries out of the gate receipts after the club's bank account with the HSBC was frozen.

Earlier in the week energy company Scottish Power Manweb cut off the club's electricity supply before restoring the power after arrangements were made to settle an unpaid bill.

The rest of the players' wages were set to be paid yesterday while the club's other staff were also in line to receive a proportion of their salaries.

Bennett said, "I tried to talk to the Inland Revenue yesterday to see if they would meet us, but our ex-chairman didn't turn up for some of the meetings with them.

"They (the Inland Revenue) have said it's gone beyond talks now so we'll have to appear at the High Court.

"They have been more than fair - it's just that we have let them down by not talking to them over the last couple of months."

The Wrexham Supporters' Trust met Hamilton on Monday and made him an offer for the Racecourse and his 78 per cent shareholding in the club.

It is understood Hamilton has promised to give them an answer by tomorrow.

At the High Court hearing the club will have to demonstrate it is still viable in order to avoid administration.

If the club goes into administration, it faces a 10-point penalty from the league.

Bennett claims it will be in a stronger position to do this should Hamilton - who was unavailable for comment yesterday - agree to sell his shareholding to the Trust.