Wrexham AFC is the oldest football club in Wales. Formed in 1872 the Dragons have played at the historic Racecourse Ground for the majority of their 133 year history.All this is due to end on July 21rst when the club will be evicted from their Stadium by the majority shareholder Alex Hamilton a Manchester based solicitor.Mr Hamilton purchased the club for £50k in June 2002 using one of his companies ,Memorvale, as a vehicle. Wrexham had a 125 year lease on the ground with the freeholder Wolverhampton and Dudley Brewery. However Mr Hamilton then purchased the freehold of the ground from the brewery for £300k through another of his companies Damens Ltd. Mr Hamilton then controlled the Leasehold of the ground through one company and the freehold through another company for an outlay of around £350k. Conservative estimates suggest that the development potential of the land would be around £8m.12 months later and Mr Hamilton changed the clubs lease. In return for settling the VAT bill of around £300k the lease was altered in Mr Hamiltons favour and the clubs 125 year lease was changed to a 125 year lease with the addition of a break clause meaning that Mr Hamilton could evict the club giving 12 months notice. On July 21rst 2004 the eviction notice was served on the club and Wrexham AFC had 12 months to find a new home or cease to exist. Mr Hamilton was now the chairman of the club and showed little interest in securing a new home for the Dragons.As debts increased under his tenure Mr Hamilton resigned as chairman and in December 2004 the remaining club directors took the decision to take the club into administration ,thus avoiding a winding up order from the Inland Revenue.There has been a lot of interest from parties keen to purchase the club from Mr Hamilton but little indication that he wishes to sell. Mr Hamilton is quite open about his intentions and would be willing to have the club wound up if that secures the greatest financial reward for himself.Wrexham Supporters Trust is the largest fans organisation at the club and have been campaigning for the last 10 months to save the club by encouraging investors and even by tabling a bid for the club itself.Members of the Trust are totally committed to saving Wrexham AFC and have worked very hard to put together this very special collection .The proceeds of this auction will help in the fight to save the club and secure a brighter future for football in Wrexham.Cmon the Town!!Lindsay JonesSecretary
Dennis Smith Letter
Wrexham Supporters Trust.