Ratepayers' cash could be key to club's survival

WARRINGTON ratepayers and the business community hold the key to the survival of the town's premier sports club, which is now in a deep financial crisis with time running out.

The boss of Warrington Wolves said Warrington Borough Council could call on ratepayers' funds to save the club from folding until the new stadium is finally given the go-ahead.

But only the people of Warrington can make this happen.

In return for financial support in this way, ownership of the club could be handed over to the community.

Alternatively, businessmen or a consortium could join the board of the Wolves' owners, stumping up rescue money in return for a major interest in the Super League club.

Accountant Norman Summers is chairman of Warrington Sports Holdings Ltd, the Wolves' owners, and he stressed the urgency for cash to save the 121-year-old club from going bust.

He said: "We now absolutely need the support of the community to ensure that the club survives during the public inquiry process.

"The key message to the whole Warrington community is 'Save Our Club'."

Mr Summers added: "The decision to call a public inquiry for the stadium and Tesco store application puts the future of the club at risk.

"We were absolutely relying on a positive stadium message to help us raise much needed funds. A positive decision would have meant early revenues for us from the sale of stadium rights and facilities, such as hospitality boxes. This would have helped the club.

"I would now invite the whole community to contact the town councillors and make sure that they're aware of the fact that people want the council to step in.

"The council, on behalf of the community, have got the resources to save this club. And the council, at no great financial impact, can save this club.

"The revenues and costs that go through the council are very significant. To save this club, we are talking no more than £600,000 to £700,000 per year until we get a new stadium, which could have a starting date of only a year away.

"It is not as if we're in a poor and run down area where the council struggles.

"They've got plenty of financial cushion if the political will is there. The council, with the odd exception, has been extremely supportive so far.

"But the councillors are only the custodians of the community's finances - they don't own them. Really, the finances will be spent the way the community wants the money to be spent.

"So Warrington people need to let their council representatives know that they want their money spent, for a small part, in ensuring the Warrington club is saved and the top sport is retained in this town.

"I know that the council will react and respond if there is the community demand. It's the way of the world.

"And this is an obvious way to go. This is a close-knit integrated community. Warrington is a super town, dare I say city, with tremendous economic prospects and is relatively wealthy. It has low unemployment, has a vibrant business community and is in a superb location with superb transport and communication facilities.

"This is something that such a town needs to do."

Mr Summers, who was part of the original consortium of businessmen who saved the club from bankruptcy two years ago, is offering the community ownership of the club in return for desperately needed funds.

He said: "This is a real opportunity and to assist I would put up a proposal to the town in return for community support through the council.

"The proposal would be to set up a community trust that would in effect take the controlling ownership of the club, and therefore ultimately the stadium, for the benefit of the town and the whole community.

"I have the capacity to do this. It's a tremendous opportunity that might not arise again.

"But I have to repeat, the club is in a very difficult situation and the club needs support now. We don't have a lot of time."

There is an alternative way in which the club could be prevented from going under.

Mr Summers said: "I also invite any Warrington businessman or group of businessmen to come and join us in helping to save this club for the community, whether it is because they are fans or because they want to put something back into the town.

"To assist and encourage this, I would be prepared to ensure that the businessman or group was given a controlling interest in the club."

Any businesses or businessmen wishing to team up should contact Wilderspool on 635338 and ask for chief executive Andy Gatcliffe or director Iain Clarke.

Anyone who wishes to encourage the council to spend rate payers' funds on saving the Wolves from extinction should write to their councillor care of the Town Hall.