Football club owned by its fans plunged into crisis

MERTHYR Town have been plunged into crisis after the majority of their players were released amid claims of major financial problems and boardroom walkouts at the proud Welsh non-league club.

More than two thirds of the players – including former Swansea youth ace Scott Tancock and ex-Cardiff City striker Stuart Fleetwood – have been told to leave Penydarren Park as the scale of the problems became apparent. It could leave the club struggling to field a senior side in this weekend’s league fixture.

The players were told at a meeting at the ground with club hierarchy on Thursday night, 48 hours after vice-chairman Anthony Hughes walked out – one of four board members to quit in the space of a week. It is thought they have quit over frustrations at not being able to address the concerns that have come to light.

Chairman Meurig Price and former treasurer John Strand remain in place despite criticism over the situation.

A club statement confirmed the resignations with a meeting planned at the redeveloped Valleys home of the Martyrs on Monday, where supporters are keen for more information, believing they can help overcome the issues if they are made fully aware of what the club is facing.

Nevertheless, fears have spread among fans, with some claiming the club is facing debts from off-the-field costs that have in turn seen budgets dramatically slashed. Merthyr are also believed to be facing a tribunal from former CEO Rob Price who is blamed by some for alienating fans at what was only recently regarded as a shining example of a successful supporter-owned club.

But discontent about the running of the club has been rising among regulars since the end of last season when former Wales international Gavin Williams took the club to their highest position since the rebirth of the Martyrs seven years ago, missing out on promotion to the Conference South in a play-off.

Some board members are said to have been unaware of the financial situation of the club until only very recently with offthe-field expenses causing concern.

There is confidence the problems are not insurmountable and revenue can be raised to meet on-the-field costs.

Merthyr Town – the original name of the town’s football team – was born following the financial demise of the old Merthyr Tydfil club which folded in 2010.

Merthyr-born manager Williams is believed to be staying and trying to persuade players to stay on before signing for new clubs.

The ex-West Ham, Ipswich, Bristol City and Yeovil midfielder issued a statement on the club’s website yesterday morning confirming he had lost “80% of the players” having met with them individually after the news was broken to them by club officials.

There are thoughts Merthyr will have to field effectively a youth team for today’s Southern League Premier clash at Chesham, with players and fans’ only relief coming from the 26 points – seven off the play-offs – already collected, giving the chance of avoiding relegation.

Merthyr released a statement yesterday afternoon. It read: “With regret due to current financial situation at the club the board have had to look at making significant savings both on and off the pitch. This will hopefully allow us to survive in short term and rebuild going forward.

“Cashflow at the club has become extremely tight due to lack of home games since October. All avenues of expenditure are being re-evaluated to protect club going forward.

“Last night members of the board and manager Gavin Williams met with the players. They informed the players there was no choice but to cut the playing budget significantly. This has understandably resulted in many of them deciding to leave.

“We would like to thank every one of them for their contributions to the success on field over the years and wish them well in the future. Gavin Williams is confident he will be able to field a competitive team going forward and he is in discussion with players willing to stay.

“Saturday’s game at Chesham will consist of the club’s development players. This will give Gavin time to build a team and give current players time to stay. We ask owners and supporters to be patient whilst we continue to re-evaluate all aspects of the operation. We have five home games coming up soon, and ask you to drum up support and attend in numbers.

“If we all pull together we can overcome our difficulties.”