Rumours rife over Reds' case appeal

By DANIEL SHIRES

01 December 2005

THE decision on whether controversial Wrexham FC owner Alex Hamilton will be allowed to appeal over the summary judgement against him could be known before Christmas.

Neville Dickens, who is backed by fans to take over the club, this morning said he had heard the decision whether to allow the application to appeal the decision handed down by Mr Justice Norris in October could be made in the next few weeks.

Rumours have also suggested it could be made on December 15.

Mr Hamilton instructed his lawyers to seek leave to appeal last month after Justice Norris found in favour of the summary judgement application by Wrexham FC's administrators, Begbies Traynor, to restore the freehold of The Racecourse ground to the club.

Overturn

His team hope that by petitioning the Court of Appeal they will be able to take their case before a team of judges who will overturn Mr Justice Norris's decision.

This would allow the case to go to a full hearing.

If the appeal judges agree there is no case to be answered and that summary judgement was correct, Mr Justice Norris's decision will be upheld.

Should Mr Hamilton's application to appeal be accepted it could delay the efforts of the administrators to complete their goal of seeking a consensual sale of the club to a suitable buyer.
If there is a delay then it could mean the club will remain in administration beyond the two years allowed under the rules laid down by the Football League.

The current deadline for the club to move out of administration is June 3.

However, Wrexham Supporters Trust representative Lindsay Jones has urged caution.

He said: "We've heard it will be some time before Christmas, but there is no set timetable for this."