Wrexham AFC set the record straight over club sale

Tue 11th Jan 2011 | Football Stadiums & Facilities

Wrexham Football Club owner Iain Roberts and director Geoff Moss have made a public statement after speculation over the club’s Racecourse Ground.

It had been reported that the ground was to be sold to a new company under the Wrexham Village umbrella – who own Wrexham FC - then leased back to the both Wrexham and Super League franchise Crusaders with Roberts defending the move stating: "We're not selling it out of the group, we're moving it sideways."

But the decision has upset some supporters who believed the ground was being sold along with the club, but in a letter on the club’s official website Roberts and Moss have moved to clarify the situation.

"We are proud of the Racecourse, the football club's history and their importance to the town of Wrexham. We are also extremely focused on the improvement of this facility and the future of top class sport in North Wales," the letter said.

"It is Wrexham Village Ltd's intention to transfer the Racecourse Ground within the group that already owns it and to grant a long lease of a minimum of 25 years to both the Football Club and Rugby League Club, on the same terms, and for those clubs to contribute on a fair basis to the running costs of the Racecourse which they both did last year. It will not be the intention to charge the football club or the rugby club other than the running costs and there will not be a profit element generated.

"Wrexham Village and Geoff Moss have financially supported the football club to the tune of £1.5 million since the beginning of Oct 2009. Wrexham Village also purchased the development site adjacent to the Racecourse at an inflated price to clear Wrexham Football club's historic debt, putting the business funding in a depleted situation."

The statement also revealed that the Blue Square Bet Premier club were considering two strong bids interested in a takeover.

"It is common knowledge that Wrexham Football Club is for sale and after a number of enquiries there are two clear groups of investors that have emerged with the funds to take the club forward and invest in enhancing the club further," the statement said.

It continued: "They also appear committed to the future of Wrexham Football Club and intent on gaining promotion out of this league. Both groups are happy with the above option, as it allows them to invest more in the short-term with the option to purchase the ground depending on how successful they or the team are."

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