WHERE THERE'S A WILL…
Clued-up football supporters have for years suspected that the parade of businessmen arriving from nowhere to "save" imperilled clubs are, in reality, too often motivated by grabbing clubs' historic grounds on their prime town-centre sites and making a coin from developing them. Wrexham, crisis club of the moment, has, following a high court ruling last week, finally, emotionally, been reunited with its famous Racecourse Ground - home, with a small break, since 1872. It gives the club, which is still in administration, a fighting chance of survival.
The ruling undoes the manoeuvring of Mark Guterman and Alex Hamilton, the Cheshire-based property developers who bought the club in March 2002, acquired the Racecourse Ground freehold and transferred it to Hamilton's company, then changed the terms of Wrexham's lease. Hamilton, last July, gave the club 12 months' notice to quit, saying he wanted a "big cheque" for the ground or it would soon be a retail park.
Wrexham fans campaigned, formed a trust, enlisted support nationwide, but were told throughout that although Guterman and Hamilton's thrusts were sharp, they were entitled to make them. The judge, Alistair Norris QC, ruled comprehensively last week that this is in fact not so, saying Guterman was in breach of his duties as the chairman and a director of the club when he bought the Racecourse Ground for his own and Hamilton's benefit. Ordering Hamilton to return the ground to the club, the judge said: "It is fanciful to suggest that Mr Hamilton acted in good faith."
The decision followed the discovery of agreements Hamilton and Guterman made when they first embarked on what they called "the Wrexham project". The judge highlighted one sentence in particular, in which Hamilton and Guterman clarified their intentions: "The management and control of the football club is to be on an equal control basis," they set out, "with the main or sole objective to realise the maximum potential gain from the property assets of the football club for the benefit of [Mr Hamilton] and [Mr Guterman]."
Cut it out, frame it, post it on messageboards. This is a landmark, the revelation of an agreement, in writing, signed by two property developers, that the "main or sole objective" of their becoming involved in a 133-year-old, fondly and fiercely supported football club was to make as much money as they possibly could from its ground.
Rob Griffiths, of Wrexham Supporters Trust, which has raised over £200,000 and is now running the club's shop and merchandising operation, said he hoped this ruling is a milestone. "If you are determined and stand your ground, you can make a difference. We looked at what was done and said it couldn't be right; now we have proof that it wasn't."
Despite the hurdles to overcome, the Guardian understands that over the weekend a number of Wrexham's campaigning supporters did allow themselves quite a lot to drink.
Battle to save a 133-year-old institution
February 2002 Alex Hamilton and Mark Guterman agree to split the profits from property development at Wrexham.
March 27 2002 Pryce Griffiths sells Wrexham to Memorvale, a company owned by Hamilton.
June 25 2002 Guterman, the club's chairman, agrees to buy the Racecourse Ground freehold for £300,000. The ground is immediately transferred to another Hamilton company.
June 26 2003 Wrexham "surrenders" 125-year lease for a new one with a 12-month notice period.
July 2004 Hamilton issues 12-month notice to the club to quit the Racecourse Ground.
December 3 2004 Wrexham placed into administration with debts of £2.5m. Football League deducts 10 points, leaving the club third from bottom of League One.
January 29 2005 Fans of clubs around the country join a "Fans United" day at the Racecourse Ground when Wrexham play Doncaster Rovers.
April 10 2005 Wrexham beat Southend 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium to win the LDV Vans Trophy, their first major cup in 133 years as a football club.
May 3 2005 Wrexham lose 2-1 at home to Brentford and are relegated to League Two.
October 14 2005 Wrexham win a court battle against Alex Hamilton. The Racecourse Ground is restored to the club