Wrexham FC confident of meeting Conference demands

Glyndwr University have bought the club's Racecourse ground

Wrexham FC is confident of meeting the demands of the Football Conference as it looks to secure its future.

The club's owners completed the sale of the Racecourse and training facilities to Glyndwr University on Friday.

It faced a 1700 BST deadline on Monday to convince the Football Conference it can complete its fixtures this season and is awaiting a response.

Wrexham said the sale of the Racecourse and Colliers Wood immediately settled three of the four criteria laid down.

The Dragons are due to start their 2011/12 campaign at home to Cambridge United on Saturday, 13 August.

A statement from the club on Friday said: "We can confirm as of today Wrexham FC (2006) Ltd has completed the sale of the Racecourse and Colliers Park to Glyndwr University.

"This deal is the key to purchase of the football club by the Wrexham Supporters Trust."

The statement also confirmed that the club was in the process of meeting the requirements to take part in this season's Blue Square Bet Premier campaign.

"Following a meeting between club officials and the Conference Board at the pre-season club and manager's meeting yesterday, the Conference have requested that the club clarifies the current financial position, along with other operational issues.

"Having liaised with the Conference today, we are happy to confirm that of the four issues raised in their press statement, three have been dealt with immediately as a result of the sale and the fourth will be concluded prior to the deadline set.

"The remainder of the player payroll is in the process of being paid."

'Opens the door'

At the meeting on Thursday, Wrexham FC was told by the Conference that by 17:00 BST on Monday it had to meet the following criteria:

• Deposit a bond or bank guarantee of £250,000 into the competitions accounts

• Proof of payment to all outstanding football creditors, including staff and players wages

• Lodge a signed lease, acceptable to the Football Conference, as to where the club intends to play its home fixtures for season 2011/12

• Submit a detailed business plan and revised budget for the coming season

Last week, around 115 staff at the club, including players, were not paid and two pre-season friendlies were called off after owner Geoff Moss said he had no more money to inject.

Mr Moss said the sale of the Racecourse to Glyndwr University agreed this week "opens the door" for Wrexham Supporters' Trust to take over the running of the football club.

The Trust has been interested in a deal to take over the club since May.

On Saturday, a group of Wrexham supporters will attempt to raise funds with a 24-mile sponsored walk from the town to Northwich Victoria, where the club will play a pre-season friendly.

Rugby league side the Crusaders will also still be able to play their games at the Racecourse. Their final home game against Hull has been moved to 21 August.

The struggling Super League side, also owned by Mr Moss, has not renewed its licence to play in the competition for the next three years.