Report by NICK SMITH

WITTON Albion chairman Mike Worthington is putting aside thoughts of a merger with Northwich Victoria to concentrate on paying off the club's remaining £50,000 debt.

Last Wednesday's meeting with shareholders was merely to outline the three options key to Albion's survival and to call for supporters to pull together to ensure that Witton can carry on as they are.

Worthington said: "I suspect the supporters would prefer to stay where we are, and we need them to buy shares in their club.

"It gives them more say. If it comes down to a vote the only people who decide our future will be the shareholders, not the supporters. We had a good response at the meeting and about 30 people took application forms.

"We've come a long way from having debts of £130,000 and a lot of people have put hard-earned money into the club, which proves their loyalty and support."

On the other two options - moving to a new ground or amalgamating with Northwich - Worthington insists that no moves have been made to make either happen.

He said: "Even if we move there's the disruption of having to ground share for a year, so it's obvious that we would like to stay where we are.

"As for an amalgamation, that sort of decision-making was never going to take place and I can't say when or if it will. It's not appropriate to get people's opinions on it when nothing is happening, and those are the facts at the moment."

Northwich Vics chairman Rod Stitch said they would consider a ground share if it made economic sense, but dismissed talk of a merger as unrealistic.

On the field, Albion remained top of UniBond Division One on Saturday despite their first defeat in 11 games, away to Farsley Celtic.

Following last night's trip to Trafford, Witton face Ossett Town for the first time at Wincham Park on Saturday (3pm).

The trip to Gretna has been brought forward to Friday, November 12, to avoid clashing with England's Euro 2000 play-off against Scotland. The kick-off time has yet to be agreed.

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