Unibond Premier League club King’s Lynn FC face being wound up on Wednesday. The Norfolk club owe the taxman £67,000. A rescue seemed to be on the cards last week after potential investors came forward and the local council pledged support for improvements at the stadium which has faced ground grading problems that have held the club back. An appeal against the winding up order was due to be heard last week but the High Court not hear the case and they were given a seven day reprieve.
Unibond Premier League club King’s Lynn FC face being wound up on Wednesday. The Norfolk club owe the taxman £67,000. A rescue seemed to be on the cards last week after potential investors came forward and the local council pledged support for improvements at the stadium which has faced ground grading problems that have held the club back. An appeal against the winding up order was due to be heard last week but the High Court not hear the case and they were given a seven day reprieve. However, with potential investors unable to produce and players unpaid for a third week, director Michael Chinn has washed his hands of the Linnets and 130 years of history will probably end this week. He complained that ‘the taxman put the club in this situation’, but the taxman acts on behalf of taxpayers and clubs have a responsibility to pay their taxes like any other business. Supporters are likely to form a phoenix club on the lines of AFC Telford.
Things looked slightly better at crisis club Chester City after they avoided being kicked out of the Conference last week. Controversial former owner Stephen Vaughan produced the £36,000 needed to settle football debts and keep them from expulsion. Banned from serving as a company director, Vaughan loaned the cash to his son. However, fans have been discussing plans to form a breakaway AFC Chester club.
UPDATE: The end of King’s Lynn – official statement – 09/12/09