Rescue plan hope for the Canaries
Monday 01 March 2010
CAERNARFON Town are working on a rescue plan which they hope will keep football alive at The Oval.
The Oval The club was suspended by the FAW last week for the non-payment of fines but, after withdrawing from Saturday's fixture at Llanfairpwll, the Canaries have been given further breathing space by the Cymru Alliance, who have agreed to postpone next weekend's fixture with Penrhyncoch.
Chairman George Denham has indicated that there are no funds available to pay either the fines or the players and, in the absence of any formal announcement from the board, a statement has been issued by chair of the Friends of Caernarfon and the club's licensing officer Arfon Jones, club president John Watkins and secretary Geraint Jones.
"Albeit that it now looks inevitable that we will be relegated to the Welsh Alliance next season, we can retain our presence in the Cymru Alliance this season and start the work to rebuild and begin afresh in the Welsh Alliance next season," they say.
"We have been encouraged by a number of positive developments over the weekend:
  • The League have confirmed their willingness to postpone our fixture with Penrhyncoch next Saturday to allow us time to get matters sorted. We consider this a very supportive and positive move on behalf of the League.
  • A number of existing players have expressed their willingness to play for nothing if needed.
  • A number of ex-players and officials have contacted us to offer any support they can (including ex-FA Cup star Russ Hughes).
  • Clubs across the breadth of Wales have made contact to offer similar support, from Welsh Premier clubs in the North to ex-League of Wales clubs in South Wales.
  • Ex-directors and officials have also offered help and support and there are now around 15 people ready to meet and work together, and we expect that number to rise over the next few days.
"We have begun to work to draft a short term rescue plan and a business plan for the longer term, based on a new way of operating and going back to fundamentals as a football club for the whole of Caernarfon.
"We hope to present those plans at a public meeting within the next couple of weeks."
The statement adds that everything is dependent on receiving clarity from the board on their intentions.
"We are seeking an urgent meeting to discuss all of these issues. Once more clarity has been provided, a further statement will be released," the statement adds.
"In the interim, rest assured that we are working day and night to resolve matters in the most positive way and to get Caernarfon Town back on track and on to winning ways, on and off the field."