Crisis-hit club’s base for sale

Monday 28th September 2009, 4:41PM BST.

WILLENHALL TS 28Willenhall Town Football Club’s ground has been put up for sale – sparking fears the team could lose its home of 34 years. The move follows receivers being brought in.

Today’s grim news comes four months after receivers were called in over a £60,000 debt. The club was handed a reprieve to allow it time to set up a committee and pay back the money.

But it has failed to raise the cash and now its home in Noose Lane – opened by Wolves legend Stan Cullis in 1975 – is to be sold off.

Acting chairman Ian Bridgen said today he hoped the new owner would allow the club to remain at the ground. But estate agents revealed there had been “a large amount of interest” with some prospective buyers planning big changes.

“We are hoping whoever buys it will be sympathetic towards us and let us stay,” said Mr Bridgen. “If things don’t go well it could result in there being no team in Willenhall which would be a travesty.”

Mike Allwood from property specialists Andrew and Ashwell said: “We gave the club a significant amount of time, all of the summer in fact.”

It emerged in May the club was facing a financial crisis, owing £60,000 to Wolverhampton-based Marston’s which owns the land.



Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Book a Business Awards table Book a Business Awards table

Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.