CHIEF IN VALIANT ATTEMPT TO BUY BOROUGH
PORT Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite is interested in purchasing Nuneaton Town’s Liberty Way stadium.
The ground has been up for sale since the end of the season when chairman Lee Thorn announced his intentions to step down from the club.
The purchase of the stadium by Smurthwaite, subject to EFL approval, would allow Nuneaton to meet the current liabilities required to remain in the National League North.
Once that has been completed, an interim person will be appointed by Thorn to run the club while the Nuneaton Town Supporters Co-Operative (NTSC) organises to take over as a community asset.
A statement by the NTSC read: “Mr Smurthwaite is currently the owner of Port Vale, but is seeking to acquire, pending EFL approval, the stadium at Liberty Way. Should he be successful, Mr. Smurthwaite would act as landlord to Nuneaton Borough FC.
“It’s Mr Smurthwaite’s belief that the football club should be a community owned asset.
“The sale of the stadium will at this point, allow for the club to meet the current liabilities required for it to retain it’s status within the division.
“This represents a real chance for us to get what so many of you have been looking for, for so long – a football club that belongs to you.
“Without the fans’ backing this, this simply cannot happen, and the club could once again be in jeopardy.
“Whilst he is keen to help the club in anyway he can, Mr Smurthwaite cannot become financially involved due to his ownership at Port Vale, and therefore this can only be an interim scenario and we have to act to ensure the long-term viability of this club.”