Club Announcement

[Ian_W]

 

Firstly thank you all for your patience and support throughout the past week. It was much appreciated and helped enormously in what was a very difficult time.

 

As you are all aware from previous announcements, the Football Club had proposed a CVA to its creditors in an attempt to settle the remaining outstanding debts. Unfortunately this proposal did not receive the required 75% majority vote.

 

The Directors of Hornchurch Football Club Limited immediately sought the advice of its Accountants and Lawyers and were advised that, under the circumstances, the Company had no option but to cease trading and subsequently the Company was placed into Liquidation on Wednesday 11 May 2005.

 

A new Company known as Hornchurch Football Club (2005) Limited has been formed and the Company has received the consent of the FA and the Essex FA to play football within the pyramid as AFC Hornchurch. The Club will be advised as to what League it will be placed in after Thursday 19 May by the FA. (Although the Club have actually applied for a place in Ryman Division One the decision is fully in the hands of the FA.)

 

The new Company has applied to Havering Borough Council for a new lease on the Stadium which is being considered at the present time. In the meantime the new club will continue to use the facilities at the Stadium under the terms of the existing roll over agreement.

 

The Affiliated Social Club, and its Bar and Restaurant are not affected by the Liquidation and will now be affiliated to the new football club and continue to raise funds for it.

 

Due to the much reduced budgets being prepared for next season, both Tony Choules and Carl Taylor have recognised the situation that the club now finds itself in, and have this morning taken the decision to resign their positions. At a much troubled period in the Club's history both Tony and Carl brought much needed smiles back to the faces of the Urchin faithful. They have done a tremendous job and everyone at the club is grateful for what they have done, they will always be welcome at the Stadium. Thank you Tony and Carl, you will both be much missed.

 

Club stalwart and current Youth Team manager, John Lawrence was offered the position of AFC Hornchurch Manager this morning and immediately accepted that offer. His team of Alan Moulder, Paul Marler, Barry Fox and Del Edkins will join him.

 

The Club shall run a First Team squad, a Capital League Squad and an under 16 team next year. The existing under 19's will be amalgamated into the new setup.

 

You, the supporters have been fantastic in large numbers throughout turbulent times and regardless of it all you have not wavered in your support. With our heads held high, this is the beginning, not the end. Up the Urchins.

 

Jon Smith & Jennie Cliff.