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Open Letter To Jim Rushe

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Parent Category: 1874 Trust

Written by Margaret Nixon

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Plans for the future of NVFC

Following an ‘open’ fans meeting on Thursday 3^rd May 2012 – which was attended by over 100 supporters (both Trust and non-Trust members)- the Trust Board has been asked to write this open letter to you on behalf of a significant proportion of the fan base, which has genuine and significant concerns regarding the lack of information which is being issued in relation to the future of Northwich Victoria Football Club. These fans feel very much in limbo  regarding the future of the Club, your plans and the timescales involved.

Vics fans have experienced many highs and lows in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, just recently, there have been more lows than highs. Despite excellent performances on the pitch, as a result of the Club failing to meet its obligations regarding the servicing of the CVA, we have seen our team relegated to the lowest level it has played at in the last 100 years. This has lead to significant doubts about the short and long term viability of the club.

In addition to this, the fact that we ‘lost’ our home stadium and that we now face playing our ‘home’ matches at Stafford for the 2012/13 season is causing great unrest for the Vics supporters.  This is further compounded by the lack of clear direction from the Club and the lack of visibility of any actions that you have in place to resolve these issues.

As mentioned earlier, this letter has been initiated in response to a request from a meeting of fans last week, many of whom are seeking assurances regarding your future plans. The principal issues that are of concern are outlined below:

1.      Given that the move to Stafford will inevitably result in a significant decrease in income, please could you provide details of how you intend to ensure how the club can remain viable whilst it is ‘in exile’?

2.      As mentioned in (1) above, the ground share at Stafford cannot be a viable, long term option. Hence, what arrangements / plans do you have in place to bring the Club back to Northwich? What timescales are you working to?

3.      Please could you provide a response to the Administrator's statement as published in the Northwich Guardian on Friday 27^th April. Given that it is a matter of public record that you have not been servicing the CVA and that there is a threat of a winding up order against NVFC (2004) Ltd, what plans are in place to address this situation? How are you intending to defend any winding up order and what are the implications on NVFC (2007) Ltd?

4.      Please could you provide an outline of how you see the position in relation to the league?  Have you been in discussion with the league and how do they view the fact that the football club has not serviced the CVA ? How will this effect the future placement of NVFC in the leagues?

5.      What plans do you have to assist supporters in travelling to Stafford for the home matches?

Vics fans would appreciate an indication from the football club as to how the current situation will be addressed and confidence that the club will be sustainable and that in future we can get to the end of the season, without the fear of relegation for off-field problems.

Whilst these concerns were raised by the fanbase as a whole, the Trust Board would like to repeat our previous offers to work with you to help through this difficult time. As we have stated before, both directly to you and in public statements, we want to assist the club with the aim of long term sustainability for generations of Vics fans in the future. If everyone is to pull together for the future of Vics, then there needs to be a clear and credible strategy for the future of the Club addressing the concerns outlined above.

A meeting of Vics fans has been planned for 19^th May 2012.  You are welcome to attend this event, it could provide a good opportunity to communicate your plans directly to a significant number of Vics fans.

Whilst we would appreciate your attendance, the issues we have outlined in this letter  are causing such concern that we would be grateful if you could provide a written response to the them within the next seven days. Vics fans care passionately about the Club and the uncertainty surrounding the future is causing significant distress and frustration and undermining the support for the current set up.

As this is an 'open' letter, details will be published in a number of media and we would seek to do the same with any response. This is a letter from Vics fans, not just one part of the fan base.

Yours sincerely

On behalf of Northwich Victoria Supporters

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