Club was not bailed out

I write with reference to the letter "Decisions by Austin not always supported" in which T P Kiernan claims that Telford & Wrekin Council bailed out a private football club and that they also maintain the ground free of charge.

I would just like to clarify a couple of points.

Councillor Austin was not actually leader of Telford & Wrekin Council at the time of the financial collapse of Telford United Football Club in May 2004.

Indeed, such was the scale of the problems faced by the club that no agency or individual considered it sensible to bail out the club, hence its liquidation.

AFC Telford United was formed shortly afterwards by a trust with more than 400 members. The council, with cross-party support, did purchase the freehold of the stadium site, securing an asset for the people of Telford to enjoy.

AFC Telford United working together with the council, TCAT and many other partners has since gone on to receive national acclaim for its work with the community.

All of this has been achieved through the partnership attracting thousands of pounds of external funding.

The new club is the same as any other business in the fact that it too has to pay the full rate for ground maintenance, rent, rates etc.

If the writer or any other reader would like to know more about the community work that we are involved in then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Lee Carter Chairman, AFC Telford United, New Bucks Head Stadium, Telford