It's ten years to the day since Hereford United was wound up in the High Court. Over the next couple of days BN will post several articles from that day and the following ones.
Dec 19th 2014:
Hereford United have been wound up. Registrar issued compulsory order around 4.35pm.
The 1939 Limited Company has been wound up.
It was the club's 13th appearance.
Lonsdale had promised to put £1M in.
Club's Barrister said that Lonsdale had got funds but Registrar said
that as Lonsdale hadn't got to the court with evidence, Registrar wound
up it.
Reportedly Lonsdale was 'stuck in traffic'.
A liquidator is expected to be appointed.
There is an appeals process.
Reaction from Martin Watson for HUST.
"It hurts but it had to be.
"We didn't think it would come to this. We were promised so much but nothing.
"The thing we loved for generations has gone.
"We'll pick the pieces up and start again and we will have the people of Hereford at our heart."
Herefordshire Council have issued a statement:
As Hereford United Football Club (1939) Limited is in the process of
being wound up and a liquidator will be appointed, this action triggers
the council’s right as landlord to forfeit the leases. The council will
now pursue this and seek to gain formal repossession of all three sites
leased to the club.
Once the ground has been secured, the council will consider the
appropriate process for procuring a new tenant to ensure the
continuation of football.
Council will go to Court on Monday to start getting ground back.
Later HUST chairman Chris Williams spoke to BBC H&W.
"The old club had to die before the new club could be created."
Here's the BBC report:
BBC Report On Winding Up
Owner Andy Lonsdale had promised to invest £1m in the club, which was expelled from the Football Conference in June after failing to pay creditors.
But he was late to court and the judge was not satisfied there were sufficient funds.
Mr Lonsdale's barristers said they had a statement that the money was in the bank but Mr Lonsdale said he was stuck in traffic and could not get to the court in time.
It was the tenth time he had been ordered to appear at the High Court in London
The winding-up order was issued moments after he was due, at just after 16:30 GMT.
Supporters have gathered at the club's ground at Edgar Street, where one man said "We will come back. It may take 10 years, but we will be back".
Herefordshire Council said: "As Hereford United Football Club (1939) Limited is in the process of being wound up and a liquidator will be appointed, this action triggers the council's right as landlord to forfeit the leases.
"The council will now pursue this and seek to gain formal repossession of all three sites leased to the club.
"Once the ground has been secured, the council will consider the appropriate process for procuring a new tenant to ensure the continuation of football."