Northwich's Victoria FC in gate dispute

16/01/2009

Northwich's Victoria football club has become embroiled in a row with its landlord that has seen the players and staff barred from entering their own ground.

According to the Northwich Guardian, the green gates marking the entrance to the site have been padlocked shut, with little prospect of the dispute being resolved in time for their next game against Histon tomorrow (January 17th).

Owner Jim Rushe and secretary Derek Nuttall have both been banned from the club's home in the Marston's arena by landlord Mike Connett, who is now refusing to speak to either of the two men.

Mr Connett's company Beaconet has been granted a high court reprieve to allow it to continue trading from the site, despite mounting debt problems.

The hearing to wind up the firm will now be heard on January 28th, the same day that the club itself faces bankruptcy due to an unpaid tax bill.