by RedRedWine » Wed Apr 05, 2023 1:36 pm
Northwich Victoria's demise has been particularly sad. When the club changed hands in 2008 the new owner, Jim Rushe, purchased the team only; not the clubs three year old stadium built from the proceeds of Drill Field.... a move to satisfy proposed conference ground regulations at the time that were never fully enforced.
When the clubs previous owner, Mike Connett, was declared bankrupt in 2009 - the ground was deemed to be an asset as part of those bankruptcy proceedings. The club would ultimately lose their home stadium which no longer exists (it was purchased by a nearby chemical company looking to expand its premises), and continues to live a nomadic existence following a string of financial and administrative irregularities which resulted in them being demoted. Meanwhile Rushe was sentenced to six years in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. In the face of this, the existed supporters Trust voted to form their own club, 1874 Northwich, who are currently in NPL Division One (Step Eight) with the likes of:
Leek Town
Macclesfield
Runcorn Linnets
Witton Albion
Workington (Reds)
Sort of makes talk of underwater casino's from tramps sleeping in boardrooms, disqualified lawyers and Turkey teeth assassins, plus and the current ownership saga all seem quite tame!
Hello! Hello! We are the Morecambe boys!