Blues pay debt to settle up on arrears

CARDIFF Blues have staved off the threat of a winding up order after paying the outstanding rent for use of the Arms Park.

The capital city region had been given 21 days to settle arrears understood to be amounting to about £140,000.

The statutory demand for the money was made by ground landlord Cardiff Athletic Club (CAC).

It was claimed Blues benefactor and former chairman Peter Thomas was prepared to loan the region the money to pay the debt but had wanted CAC to agree to give up some of its shares in the region in return.

CAC officials discussed the matter at a meeting and have issued a statement.

It said: “We are pleased to announce that Cardiff Blues have paid all of the outstanding rent and ancillary charges due to Cardiff Athletic Club.

“Cardiff Athletic Club looks forward to working with Cardiff Blues to improve facilities at Cardiff Arms Park and to enable them to become the success we all aspire towards.”

The terms of the settlement are unclear. The Blues have previously said it would “not be making any public statements” on what it described as “private and confidential matters”.

The issue previously came into the public domain in February when the Athletic Club backed a resolution at its annual general meeting.

It said if the Blues didn’t pay the rental arrears in full, or surrender its existing lease for a new match day playing licence arrangement on mutually acceptable terms, it would authorise its management committee to commence winding up proceedings against the rugby region.

The Athletic Club had said it was sympathetic to the plight of the Blues but stressed it had made every effort to work with the region to clear the arrears.

It had said: “Cardiff Athletic Club Management Committee has a duty to all five of its sections, and the absence of any rental payments for such a substantial period has impacted on the operations for all sections of the club.

“Having exhausted all areas of negotiation and settle this matter amicably, CAC has therefore issued a statutory demand in respect of all outstanding debts to protect the interests of our members.” Blues chief executive Richard Holland said, when the issue surfaced in February: “We are committed to and want to remain at the Arms Park and Cardiff Athletic Club, as a shareholder in the Blues, also want us to stay. I am confident that a positive solution will be found.”

The Blues’ existing lease with CAC is due to expire in 2022.