Merthyr Tydfil chairman Wyn Holloway says there is ‘next to no chance’ of the Welsh club surviving the summer. The BGB Premier club survived a winding up order after fans pledged to pay £7,000 owed to HM Revenue and Customs. However, the Martyrs have other debts totalling more than £315,000, including around £25,000 to league sponsors British Gas. The Martyrs ToThe Cause fans’ group say they will only take over the club if Holloway keeps the six-figure debt in his name. But the Oxfordshire-based businessmen refused and admits Merthyr face a bleak future.
Merthyr Tydfil chairman Wyn Holloway says there is ‘next to no chance’ of the Welsh club surviving the summer. The BGB Premier club survived a winding up order after fans pledged to pay £7,000 owed to HM Revenue and Customs. However, the Martyrs have other debts totalling more than £315,000, including around £25,000 to league sponsors British Gas. The Martyrs ToThe Cause fans’ group say they will only take over the club if Holloway keeps the six-figure debt in his name. But the Oxfordshire-based businessmen refused and admits Merthyr face a bleak future. ‘I haven’t been able to find anyone to come in – it doesn’t look at all promising,’ he said. ‘Nobody will buy the club, no chance. It’s such a big club, but the outlook is not good. I fear for the future – I won’t put any more money in. I can’t see a way out of this mess.’ Merthyr have until June 3rd to settle the tax bill or be liquidated.
Elsewhere in the non-league, Darwen, a league club in the early days of football, are set to lose their fight against collapse after announcing their resignation from the North-West Counties League. Darwen are the subject of a winding up order over a £9,000 debt due to be heard on Tuesday. However, there is a contingency plan in place to set up a new club to be called AFC Darwen. A new club would enter the non-league pyramid at Step 7, one rung below Darwen’s current position. Founded in 1870, Darwen quickly established themselves as one of the top Lancashire sides. Elected to the Football League in 1891, in 1892-3 they were the best supported Division 2 side with average attendances of nearly 5,000. But support gradually declined until in 1898-99 they were the worst supported League club. At the end of this season, they resigned from the League.
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