City fight for future (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

City fight for future

9:49am Wednesday 20th December 2006

• Print
• Email
• Share

LANCASTER City will complete the Nationwide Conference North campaign - despite being placed into administration.

And the men in charge of Giant Axe will work to secure the future of the Dolly Blues after the problems of 2006.

The club went into administration last week - but that at least means the club can continue the season.

Administrator Edwin Kirkwood, of Morley-based EJK Associates, insists there is a future for City, although at the moment it is uncertain.

"The objective of going into administration is to ensure there is a future for the football club and protect the business, which in this case is the football club, from the possible actions of creditors," Kirkwood tells the Citizen.

"Technically I am there to oversee the club, I am in charge if you like although I will obviously not be picking the team or anything like that.

"It is early days at the moment but there is a group of people involved now with the football club who have expressed an interest in taking it forward so that is encouraging.

"Although I have to say at this moment in time the future is uncertain. The aim is to ensure the fixtures are completed, which is the main thing as far as the Football Association is concerned.

"And if the fixtures are fulfilled there will be a club for someone to take on next season."

City will face a 10-point deduction from the Football Association for going into administration. That will kick in at the start of next season.

The century-old Dolly Blues will be glad to see the back of 2006 after former chairman Steve Johnston quit and successor Charlie Moore was voted out by shareholders last month.

Moore's takeover was a protracted affair - but when he got control the wage bill spiralled out of control.

Within weeks of the season starting, players were not being paid and eventually Moore was evicted from the club's Dolly Blue Tavern.

New chairman Mick Hoyle took over last month and appointed Barrie Stimpson as manager. Their main aim is to keep the club afloat with a small wage budget and mainly local players.

• Print
• Email
• Share