Blue Square Conference North Table & Results


City FC were 24hrs from disaster

7:10am Thursday 1st April 2010

Photograph of the Author By Steve Carley »

Worcester City Football Club were 24 hours from going into administration, it has been revealed.

The Royal Bank of Scotland would have pulled the plug from yesterday had a deal not been struck to sell St George’s Lane and pay off City’s £1.5 million debt.

As a result, the team would have had 10 points deducted – the penalty for going into administration – and would almost certainly have been relegated from Blue Square South.

RBS had been waiting for City to sell their ground to Careys New Homes for £3.5 million so the debt could be wiped out. But the Wembley firm stalled on signing because St Modwen, the developer behind a proposed new stadium for the club at Nunnery Way, wanted an assurance that the football club could afford the move.

RBS was losing patience and was due to start charging the club interest on the full debt from today.

City would not have been able to pay, leaving no choice but to place themselves in administration.

However, contracts were yesterday exchanged between Careys and City – and the situation with St Modwen resolved, meaning the club will now receive the funds to clear its seven-figure debt, providing Careys’ application is passed by Worcester City Council next Thursday.

St Modwen are also due to submit a new planning application with designs for a scaled-down stadium at Nunnery Way after planners declared the previous scheme not viable.

It has taken weeks of negotiations to secure a deal, with chairman Anthony Hampson and his fellow directors battling to beat the end-of-March deadline imposed by RBS.

City will now have to trade profitably until Careys pay them the remaining money when they vacate the Lane in June 2012. That will prove a challenge as the club has lost about £60,000 per year for the last decade.

A club statement said: “The club has been perilously close to being forced into administration and agreed pre-payments have allowed us to satisfy the bank and other creditors.

“March 31 was a deadline by which we were required to pay the bank significant quarterly interest charges.”

Careys want to build 84 homes on the 100-year-old site, scaled down from an initial 98, and the proposal has been recommended for approval by the Guildhall.

On the pitch, a 10-point deduction would have seen the team fall to third-from-bottom in the table with just five games remaining and left them five points behind Lewes, who would have two games in hand.

THE STATEMENT IN FULL

The Board are pleased to confirm that we have exchanged contracts with Carey and St Modwen concerning the relocation of the club. While recognising the reduction in terms from previous proposals the offer has been tested by independent chartered surveyors who confirm that it is in line with current market conditions. A key stumbling block have been previous contracts, entered into in 2007, that promised the benefit of the sale of St Georges Lane to support the proposed development at Nunnery Way by use of a legal instrument called a charge. This charge has been re-negotiated to the satisfaction of all parties.

Both contracts require the grant of satisfactory planning permission. When that is achieved WCFC will be in a position to pay off the bank and move forward with the relocation to Nunnery Way. The terms of the deal allow WCFC to play at STGL for at least another two seasons while the development process for Nunnery Way is carried forward.

This positive step forward is a welcome further development on the road to re-establishment of the foundations of WCFC. It allows us to quantify the amount of money that will be received for the principal current asset and move forward with confidence but also within our means. The club has been perilously close to being forced into administration and agreed pre-payments have allowed us to satisfy the bank and other creditors. March 31st was a deadline by which we were required to pay the bank significant quarterly interest charges.

These arrangements have allowed us to conclude the deal to allow a Evesham a further season of the current ground share arrangement while their new facility is completed.

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Comments (13)

9:28am Thu 1 Apr 10

brooksider says...

St Modwen are fully aware Worcester City cannot afford the move to Nunnery Way.
The sale of St Georges Lane merely guarantees Worcester City have the funds to enable St Modwen to recoup the monies they have spent on 'The Project'.
Thank you David Boddy & David Hallmark.
St Modwen are fully aware Worcester City cannot afford the move to Nunnery Way. The sale of St Georges Lane merely guarantees Worcester City have the funds to enable St Modwen to recoup the monies they have spent on 'The Project'. Thank you David Boddy & David Hallmark. brooksider

10:08am Thu 1 Apr 10

High Time says...

brooksider wrote:
St Modwen are fully aware Worcester City cannot afford the move to Nunnery Way. The sale of St Georges Lane merely guarantees Worcester City have the funds to enable St Modwen to recoup the monies they have spent on 'The Project'. Thank you David Boddy & David Hallmark.
And don't forget to thank Brian Lancaster for his part in all of this as Company Secretary more so then David Boddy.
[quote][p][bold]brooksider[/bold] wrote: St Modwen are fully aware Worcester City cannot afford the move to Nunnery Way. The sale of St Georges Lane merely guarantees Worcester City have the funds to enable St Modwen to recoup the monies they have spent on 'The Project'. Thank you David Boddy & David Hallmark.[/p][/quote]And don't forget to thank Brian Lancaster for his part in all of this as Company Secretary more so then David Boddy. High Time

11:31am Thu 1 Apr 10

brooksider says...

High Time wrote:
brooksider wrote: St Modwen are fully aware Worcester City cannot afford the move to Nunnery Way. The sale of St Georges Lane merely guarantees Worcester City have the funds to enable St Modwen to recoup the monies they have spent on 'The Project'. Thank you David Boddy & David Hallmark.
And don't forget to thank Brian Lancaster for his part in all of this as Company Secretary more so then David Boddy.
I understand where you are coming from but are you sure Brian Lancaster, Tony Prescott et al. were capable of understanding the situation or did they blindly follow the Club Chairman & the 'Project Leader'?
[quote][p][bold]High Time[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]brooksider[/bold] wrote: St Modwen are fully aware Worcester City cannot afford the move to Nunnery Way. The sale of St Georges Lane merely guarantees Worcester City have the funds to enable St Modwen to recoup the monies they have spent on 'The Project'. Thank you David Boddy & David Hallmark.[/p][/quote]And don't forget to thank Brian Lancaster for his part in all of this as Company Secretary more so then David Boddy.[/p][/quote]I understand where you are coming from but are you sure Brian Lancaster, Tony Prescott et al. were capable of understanding the situation or did they blindly follow the Club Chairman & the 'Project Leader'? brooksider

11:37am Thu 1 Apr 10

blue & white says...

Agree with all of the above,. However on Saturday @ Maidstone, AH must have known CITY could have been wound up the following week!

He must have been under pressure!That said when we scored the equaliser, he was jumping up and down with the rest of us, my point being, this is how football lets you somehow forget your problems for 90 minutes. Days like Saturday are special and we need the club to survive. Fingers crossed we can move forward as a club and as supporters be able to shape the future of WCFC.
Agree with all of the above,. However on Saturday @ Maidstone, AH must have known CITY could have been wound up the following week! He must have been under pressure!That said when we scored the equaliser, he was jumping up and down with the rest of us, my point being, this is how football lets you somehow forget your problems for 90 minutes. Days like Saturday are special and we need the club to survive. Fingers crossed we can move forward as a club and as supporters be able to shape the future of WCFC. blue & white

12:35pm Thu 1 Apr 10

Spetchley Dave says...

The current board publically acknowledge the mess that their predecessors made of the contract negotiations. Anyone out there still think Dave Boddy was not an incompetant fool?
And as others have already stated, the Nunnery Way scheme will never happen. St Modwen's application will be rejected because the amount of "enabling development" proposed alongside the "scaled down stadium" is not compatible with the Local Plan and therefore will not be permitted.
St Modwen will take back what they have spent, the bank will be paid off and the club will be penniless and homeless.
Three cheers for Dave Boddy. Hip Hip...
The current board publically acknowledge the mess that their predecessors made of the contract negotiations. Anyone out there still think Dave Boddy was not an incompetant fool? And as others have already stated, the Nunnery Way scheme will never happen. St Modwen's application will be rejected because the amount of "enabling development" proposed alongside the "scaled down stadium" is not compatible with the Local Plan and therefore will not be permitted. St Modwen will take back what they have spent, the bank will be paid off and the club will be penniless and homeless. Three cheers for Dave Boddy. Hip Hip... Spetchley Dave

12:59pm Thu 1 Apr 10

Avante says...

Is that the same David Boddy who still goes to SGL without paying? Claiming the privilege which comes with being an employee of the Conference?
How can a man do so much so wrong to so many football clubs?
Spetchley Dave reads the situation rightly, but no blame should be placed on the shoulders of Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter or Colin Layland, three directors who have taken up the reins and are trying to make as decent a fist they can of an unholy mess.
What amazes me is that throughout all of this, over the last few years, David Boddy has not once said that he did anything wrong, or made wrong decisions, or made mistakes. Not once did he take responsiblity for the situation that Anthony & Co find themselves in. At least they've had the balls to say that they walked into this not realising how bad it was, and that some of their initial actions were not as well thought out as they could be. At least they've had the balls to front the detractors and put up a solid argument for decisions made, and at least they've had the balls to listen to what supporters and shareholders have told them, and have takne it onboard and acted accordingly.
Thats real leadership Mr Boddy, being able to admit that sometimes you're wrong, and changing your mind based on rationale isnt a weakness, its a strength!!
Good luck Anthony, you know you have my support!
Is that the same David Boddy who still goes to SGL without paying? Claiming the privilege which comes with being an employee of the Conference? How can a man do so much so wrong to so many football clubs? Spetchley Dave reads the situation rightly, but no blame should be placed on the shoulders of Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter or Colin Layland, three directors who have taken up the reins and are trying to make as decent a fist they can of an unholy mess. What amazes me is that throughout all of this, over the last few years, David Boddy has not once said that he did anything wrong, or made wrong decisions, or made mistakes. Not once did he take responsiblity for the situation that Anthony & Co find themselves in. At least they've had the balls to say that they walked into this not realising how bad it was, and that some of their initial actions were not as well thought out as they could be. At least they've had the balls to front the detractors and put up a solid argument for decisions made, and at least they've had the balls to listen to what supporters and shareholders have told them, and have takne it onboard and acted accordingly. Thats real leadership Mr Boddy, being able to admit that sometimes you're wrong, and changing your mind based on rationale isnt a weakness, its a strength!! Good luck Anthony, you know you have my support! Avante

12:59pm Thu 1 Apr 10

Avante says...

Is that the same David Boddy who still goes to SGL without paying? Claiming the privilege which comes with being an employee of the Conference?
How can a man do so much so wrong to so many football clubs?
Spetchley Dave reads the situation rightly, but no blame should be placed on the shoulders of Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter or Colin Layland, three directors who have taken up the reins and are trying to make as decent a fist they can of an unholy mess.
What amazes me is that throughout all of this, over the last few years, David Boddy has not once said that he did anything wrong, or made wrong decisions, or made mistakes. Not once did he take responsiblity for the situation that Anthony & Co find themselves in. At least they've had the balls to say that they walked into this not realising how bad it was, and that some of their initial actions were not as well thought out as they could be. At least they've had the balls to front the detractors and put up a solid argument for decisions made, and at least they've had the balls to listen to what supporters and shareholders have told them, and have takne it onboard and acted accordingly.
Thats real leadership Mr Boddy, being able to admit that sometimes you're wrong, and changing your mind based on rationale isnt a weakness, its a strength!!
Good luck Anthony, you know you have my support!
Is that the same David Boddy who still goes to SGL without paying? Claiming the privilege which comes with being an employee of the Conference? How can a man do so much so wrong to so many football clubs? Spetchley Dave reads the situation rightly, but no blame should be placed on the shoulders of Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter or Colin Layland, three directors who have taken up the reins and are trying to make as decent a fist they can of an unholy mess. What amazes me is that throughout all of this, over the last few years, David Boddy has not once said that he did anything wrong, or made wrong decisions, or made mistakes. Not once did he take responsiblity for the situation that Anthony & Co find themselves in. At least they've had the balls to say that they walked into this not realising how bad it was, and that some of their initial actions were not as well thought out as they could be. At least they've had the balls to front the detractors and put up a solid argument for decisions made, and at least they've had the balls to listen to what supporters and shareholders have told them, and have takne it onboard and acted accordingly. Thats real leadership Mr Boddy, being able to admit that sometimes you're wrong, and changing your mind based on rationale isnt a weakness, its a strength!! Good luck Anthony, you know you have my support! Avante

3:10pm Thu 1 Apr 10

Spetchley Dave says...

I agree Avante. Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter and Colin Layland appear to be doing their very best and are not to blame for this debarcle.

I really wish there was a way out, but there isn't one that I can see.
As for Dave Boddy still claiming free entry to the ground, I am just amazed that he is not too ashamed to show his face anywhere near Worcester City Football Club after the mistakes he has made and the consequences of them.
I agree Avante. Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter and Colin Layland appear to be doing their very best and are not to blame for this debarcle. I really wish there was a way out, but there isn't one that I can see. As for Dave Boddy still claiming free entry to the ground, I am just amazed that he is not too ashamed to show his face anywhere near Worcester City Football Club after the mistakes he has made and the consequences of them. Spetchley Dave

3:17pm Thu 1 Apr 10

Avante says...

I've just read this again, and it says "contracts have been exchanged" Now I'm a bit puzzled, because these were the very words used 2 years ago when Careys first "bought" SGL.

http://www.worcester
cityfc.co.uk/NewStad
ium/SGLSoldApr08/tab
id/633/Default.aspx

So whats changed? apart from the purchase price? and is this still something of a moving feast??
I've just read this again, and it says "contracts have been exchanged" Now I'm a bit puzzled, because these were the very words used 2 years ago when Careys first "bought" SGL. http://www.worcester cityfc.co.uk/NewStad ium/SGLSoldApr08/tab id/633/Default.aspx So whats changed? apart from the purchase price? and is this still something of a moving feast?? Avante

6:47pm Thu 1 Apr 10

mooster says...

Spetchley Dave wrote:
I agree Avante. Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter and Colin Layland appear to be doing their very best and are not to blame for this debarcle.

I really wish there was a way out, but there isn't one that I can see.
As for Dave Boddy still claiming free entry to the ground, I am just amazed that he is not too ashamed to show his face anywhere near Worcester City Football Club after the mistakes he has made and the consequences of them.
Dave Boddy has the excuse that he's allowed in free because of his Conference "duties" (other football clubs are available). What's the excuse of the other freeloaders who skulk in through the office avoiding payment? Because of their contribution to the club they "deserve" to get in free whilst everyone else who helps out still sees the need to pay their way. A cash rich club they are not.
[quote][p][bold]Spetchley Dave[/bold] wrote: I agree Avante. Anthony Hampson, Jim Panter and Colin Layland appear to be doing their very best and are not to blame for this debarcle. I really wish there was a way out, but there isn't one that I can see. As for Dave Boddy still claiming free entry to the ground, I am just amazed that he is not too ashamed to show his face anywhere near Worcester City Football Club after the mistakes he has made and the consequences of them.[/p][/quote]Dave Boddy has the excuse that he's allowed in free because of his Conference "duties" (other football clubs are available). What's the excuse of the other freeloaders who skulk in through the office avoiding payment? Because of their contribution to the club they "deserve" to get in free whilst everyone else who helps out still sees the need to pay their way. A cash rich club they are not. mooster

12:05pm Fri 2 Apr 10

Doogie 46 says...

I wholeheartedly agree with all the above comments re. Anthony Hampson & the current board. Their efforts to keep City afloat have been tremendous.(I will be happier when some money actually changes hands )
Paying off the debts is only stage 1 in the survival road. To trade profitably from then on is going to be a major challenge - I don`t think City have ever traded profitably except the odd year when they had a decent cup run.
The current squad (as I`ve said before) is on the whole quite poor for this league, so if City can`t even afford them, it doesn`t bode well for the future. Although on the plus side, the management team seem to be alive to the fact that there are decent players to be found in the lower leagues if they search hard.
The other major hurdle is how to provide an acceptable ground with the money they have left.
There`s still an immense amount to be done but for the first time in years there is a competent board in place and on a personal level Mr Hampson & co. and Carl Heeley and Mark Clyde have the goodwill of the fans behind them.
Like everyone else, I find it objectionable that the architects of City`s current situation are able to get into the ground free - have they no shame!!!
I wholeheartedly agree with all the above comments re. Anthony Hampson & the current board. Their efforts to keep City afloat have been tremendous.(I will be happier when some money actually changes hands ) Paying off the debts is only stage 1 in the survival road. To trade profitably from then on is going to be a major challenge - I don`t think City have ever traded profitably except the odd year when they had a decent cup run. The current squad (as I`ve said before) is on the whole quite poor for this league, so if City can`t even afford them, it doesn`t bode well for the future. Although on the plus side, the management team seem to be alive to the fact that there are decent players to be found in the lower leagues if they search hard. The other major hurdle is how to provide an acceptable ground with the money they have left. There`s still an immense amount to be done but for the first time in years there is a competent board in place and on a personal level Mr Hampson & co. and Carl Heeley and Mark Clyde have the goodwill of the fans behind them. Like everyone else, I find it objectionable that the architects of City`s current situation are able to get into the ground free - have they no shame!!! Doogie 46

12:19pm Fri 2 Apr 10

uptheblues says...

Dave Boddy, John Prescott etc... can't even see what the have done wrong, so for them to attend games f.o.c to them is seen in their eyes as their reward for the tireless years of toil they have done for the club!!!!!!!!!
Dave Boddy, John Prescott etc... can't even see what the have done wrong, so for them to attend games f.o.c to them is seen in their eyes as their reward for the tireless years of toil they have done for the club!!!!!!!!! uptheblues

12:36pm Sat 3 Apr 10

niclee says...

Mr Boddy calls himself Worcester through an through.
If he was so blue and white Worcester wouldn't he be proud to pay his £11 to enter the ground like every real supporter does week in and week out??
Yes he probably did put a lot of time and even some of his own money into the club during his tenure, but a real Worcester City supporter would WANT to pay his entrance fee even if he is entitled to free entry. I know I would!
Mr Boddy calls himself Worcester through an through. If he was so blue and white Worcester wouldn't he be proud to pay his £11 to enter the ground like every real supporter does week in and week out?? Yes he probably did put a lot of time and even some of his own money into the club during his tenure, but a real Worcester City supporter would WANT to pay his entrance fee even if he is entitled to free entry. I know I would! niclee
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DEADLINE: Chairman Anthony Hampson battled to get a deal. CITY: The club was on the verge of calling in the administrators.

DEADLINE: Chairman Anthony Hampson battled to get a deal.

CITY: The club was on the verge of calling in the administrators.




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