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DISTANT VICS NEWSLETTER

NUMBER TWENTY THREE                      JUNE 29th 2000

Below is a copy of the notice of an extra-ordinary general meeting for shareholders on July 12th and a meeting for fans which will precede it.

With the notice came the following statement:

STATEMENT FROM THE DIRECTORS OF NORTHWICH VICTORIA FOOTBALL CLUB - FOR FANS AND SHAREHOLDERS.

All of us, whether we are shareholders, directors or supporters who do not own any shares, feel a strong emotional attachment to The Drill Field. It has been the club's home since our formation and none of us have known Northwich Vics without The Drill Field. The two are synonymous. However, the directors, who are charged with the responsibility of managing the company affairs, believe very strongly that the club's long term interests can best be served by a move away from The Drill Field.

The historical significance of the ground is important and cannot be ignored, but neither can it be allowed to have a dominating influence over decisions about the club's future. We are proud of our history and what we have achieved over the past 126 years at The Drill Field. But we have to look to the next 126 years and ensure that future generations of Vics fans can continue to support the club and that facilities designed and equipped for the twenty first century are available.

The background to the need to relocate is essentially two-fold:

firstly, the club has experienced severe financial problems in the recent past. These have been well documented and were reported to shareholders at the AGM with the accounts for the financial year 1998-1999. A warning was given that the profit and loss account for 1999-2000 would show a similar heavy loss. Likewise the reasons for the losses have been explained in great detail:

secondly, the ever increasing demands on stadium design and facilities make it impossible to develop the existing site to meet future Football Conference criteria.

We understand that any proposal to leave The Drill Field will stir all sorts of emotions amongst fans, but we want the debate to focus on the rational aspects of the issue. The club has always played at the highest level of semi professional football that has been available. We are ambitious to continue to progress and our aim is to join the Football League. The only way that can ever be achieved is to retain our Conference status.

The directors wish to recommend adoption of the two resolutions put to you in the notice of the meeting. The directors will be voting in favour of both resolutions.

Issued by the directors of Northwich Victoria Football Club Company Ltd .

And, finally, a sort of election leaflet setting out the reasons why the Board would like you to vote for it:

So, after all the months of speculation, there it is! The first reaction came from a fans meeting two nights ago called by Clive Penny and attended by 30 people - about 20 of them shareholders. Not surprisingly, given Clive’s views, the meeting was against any move. Unfortunately I could not be there (due to childminding duty!!) so I cannot report it in depth. The only action taken that I am aware of is an attempt to get the EGM postponed on the grounds that the notice is too short, and writing to the club asking for a detailed breakdown of the finances.

2 letters in the local press are in favour of a tie up with Witton. Both would have been written before the notices went out, and this weeks papers did not carry the detail set out above.

On a more cheerful note Vics have made an offer for consistent goalscorer Adie Mike from Southport. He is 28 and played, also, for Leek and Hednesford in the Conference as well as Man. City in the past. Vics are using some of the profit from the sale of Steve Walters to finance it. Southport are looking more to ex-league players and he is "surplus to requirements." Mark Gardiner has failed to tempt Gary Talbot to join us. Mark makes the point that 400 players have been released by clubs and they will not all find new clubs easily. He hopes to benefit from this.

Neil Illman has gone to Stevenage ansd Kettering are reportedly interested in Lance Key. A swap deal between Vics and another Conference club involving Darren Vicary has broken down. Rhyl are now interested in him.

Training starts tonight and Mark thinks fans will be impressed by the players he has invited. No names yet!

Further afield Lee Steele’s contract expires this week at Shrewsbury and Plymouth are interested. Lee supposedly wants a move nearer his home on Merseyside but no one has enquired from that area. He has been offered a 3 year deal by Shrewsbury but not accepted it. If he goes there will be no fee and, therefore, no profit for Vics. If he stays I do not know if a future sale under a new contract would give Vics a share.

Fixtures may be out next week - I will e-mail them as soon as I receive them.

No winner on the Yankee this week but 9 people won £44 for a treble.

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