Soccer fans in plea over club

Football supporters are pleading with a Shropshire businessman not to end nearly 100 years of history by putting their beloved team out of business.

The Halifax Town Supporters' Trust (HTST) has sent the message to Ray Moreland, of Market Drayton, who has submitted a petition to wind up the club because it owes him just under £8,000, according to club officials.

Mr Moreland, a former chairman and director of the club, resigned in March 2004 and is taking action because of outstanding loan repayments.

The club is currently subject to a Company Voluntary Arrangement and is in the process of a drawn-out takeover bid, which has been going on for about a year.

But time is running out and the application to have the club wound up will be heard at Manchester Civil Justice Centre on March 17.

A trust spokesman said: "The loan was made to the club by Mr Moreland during his period as a director of the company.

"Given the financial performance of the club during his tenure as a director - latterly as chairman - we are somewhat surprised and disappointed Mr Moreland feels it necessary to take the course of action he has chosen.

"On behalf of the supporters of the club we would ask Mr Moreland to withdraw, with immediate effect, his petition against the club and negotiate further with the business consortium."

A spokesman for Halifax Town FC today confirmed a winding-up petition had been lodged against the club by Mr Moreland over the outstanding amount of £7,944.86.

Mr Moreland declined to comment on the matter.