Directors' Statement
Posted on: Fri 07 Jan 2011
This is an open letter which is available to both fans and the press to clarify the current changes taking place within the group that is Wrexham Village. We wish to put the record straight regarding the restructure and the effect that this will have upon Wrexham FC and Crusaders, so as to correct any misunderstandings.
We are well aware that all fans were deeply disturbed by the previous owners attempt to sell the ground to B&Q. Please be assured that Wrexham Village Ltd is firmly and passionately committed to the preservation and future of the Racecourse Ground as a sporting venue.
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.
There are no similarities at all in the plans we have for the future of the Racecourse with those that the previous owners had. You may recall that in excess of ten thousand people signed a petition to protect the Racecourse in the Wrexham UDP plan. Indeed, I signed that petition.
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. There has been some misunderstanding and for the avoidance of doubt the only comment I ever made about the money was to reiterate the actual cost of running the Racecourse as an entity. It seems reasonable for those sporting clubs that are using the facilities to share the costs of running the stadium on a fair and equitable basis. If the clubs do not bear the costs then there is no other party that will do so. It is our intention to offer an option to purchase the stadium within the football club's lease at a mutually convenient timeframe with any new owner.
Another huge benefit of having the stadium as a separate entity is that it will make it easier to apply for and obtain grants for modernisation and improvements from government sources and sporting governing bodies. One of the issues these bodies have is giving grants to a sporting organisation that is and has been losing money because of the financial risk. The losses also bring up issues of fairness with other clubs in Wales. As has been stated, we are holding ongoing talks with FAW and the local authority regarding capital investment applications into the Racecourse Ground, as well as bidding for football and rugby league international games. We hope to host Rugby League 4 Nations matches in 2011 and Rugby League World Cup matches in 2013.
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. 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.
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 last few days for myself, Geoff and our families and business activities have been one of the most harrowing times ever experienced whilst being involved in Wrexham Football Club. We have and are continually receiving numerous amount of emails and facebook comments of a threatening and abusive nature, and this is quite disconcerting given the level of money, free time and support we have both given over the years to the football club.
We are now at the position that we have given our all financially, mentally and physically to Wrexham Football Club and I ask the people of Wrexham is it fair to expect any person to contribute so much that is listed and to be in this intolerable situation of receiving threats to ourselves, our families and our business activities?
In conclusion we hope that the above clarifies the situation, alleviates the fears and misunderstandings and that we can all work to ensure a successful and positive future for the football club, Crusaders and the Racecourse.
Yours faithfully,
Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts
