Lords hear of campaign to save club from 'disaster'

20 December 2004

Lord Barry Jones is the former MP of Alyn and Deeside

THE whole town is hurting.

That's how former Alyn and Deeside MP, Lord Barry Jones, described the situation in Wrexham about the uncertainty over the future of the town's beloved football club to fellow members of the House of Lords.

Lord Jones raised Wrexham's plight during a House of Lords debate on the state of football.

He told the Lords: "Wrexham AFC languishes near the foot of its league.

"The town is outraged at Its soccer team's perilous future.

"Long-time supporters want a certain future for their team at The Racecourse ground.

"Currently, sadly, it is a question of planning, debts, commerce, consortia, bidders, businessmen and administrators, and 10 points down the drain.

"It is the talk of Wrexham. The whole town is hurting.

"This is not a problem unique to Wrexham in North East Wales, where I live. It is a phenomenon known across Britain in today's unstable football world. The contrasts are massive, from the glamorous soccer palace stadiums of the premiership to the precarious futures of financially wrecked lower league clubs.

"I believe somewhere in this there is a moral aspect for football. Principled leadership is required, and wise decisions are need from the powers that be.

"One recollects the famed derby matches of Chester and Wrexham In the old League Division North. At The Racecourse in Wrexham, in 1968, I think, I saw the Reds grind out a grim 1-1 draw
with the Cestrians.

History

"My point is that there were 11,000 people present at that derby match. Oh, that both clubs might gain such mass support again. What is the financial and footballing fate of our lower leagues? Which footballing organisation is taking the lead to devise a survival plan?

"Soccer is the people's passion. It has been part of our nation's social history and part of the warp and woof of British society. At its best, the game's nobility and stirring engagement is inspiring, but we need to act very quickly to save the game from possible disaster."

The football club is currently in administration, with administrators hoping to arrange a sale as soon as possible.

There are at least three consortiums interested in buying the club but until a sale is agreed with owner Alex Hamilton, the club will remain in administration.