Express & Star

Mystery investor to the rescue

People power is set to save under-threat Bilston Town FC, with a new investor prepared to fund the club. People power is set to save under-threat Bilston Town FC, with a new investor prepared to fund the club. A backer has come forward to provide funds for the cash-strapped club. And a dedicated group has committed to making it a success once again. Supporters have rallied round to resurrect the business, anxious not to lose it after 113 years at the heart of the town. The club failed to play the last two games of the season because of a lack of players, and now the ground is rundown having suffered 122 vandal attacks in recent years. Read the full story in the Express & Star.

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A backer has come forward to provide funds for the cash-strapped club.

And a dedicated group has committed to making it a success once again. Supporters have rallied round to resurrect the business, anxious not to lose it after 113 years at the heart of the town. The club failed to play the last two games of the season because of a lack of players, and now the ground is rundown having suffered 122 vandal attacks in recent years.

Attendances at the Queen Street club, in the West Midlands League Division One, used to be in the hundreds every week but that number dwindled to between 40 and 100 per match.

But Councillor Bert Turner today said the community had come together to turn around the club's fortunes.

He said: "Although they want to remain anonymous for the moment, we have someone who is prepared to put money into the club and a team of people that will run it. No-one wanted to see this important club disappear and now the community has stepped in to save it."

He said attempts were now being made to contact current leaseholder Roger Williams to get the keys to the business back.

"The lease expired on June 1, so all we need now is to get the keys off Mr Williams," he said.

"We really need to get inside and get the ground in condition as the grass is about 18 inches high.

"As soon as we get the ground sorted, we'll have teams back in the league, and this club will be back where it belongs."

The town was rocked when it was revealed the club was thousands of pounds in debt to Wolverhampton City Council after failing to keep up lease payments. Bilston Town FC was a thriving social club during the 1970s, hosting live music, functions, dancing and shows as well as football matches.

In May, owner Roger Williams said several parties were interested in taking it over. And he urged fans who feared for the future to be patient.

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