Nuneaton Borough FC

[Wolfman jack]

Just a heads up regarding the problems at Nuneaton. They are currently locked out of their home ground, Liberty Way, by the landlords, for unclear reasons. Guarantees of debt payment and up front future rent have been made to no avail. They are having to play “home” fixtures away, losing income , had to cancel a major fireworks display (which would have raised £30-40,000 pounds), and their future is in serious doubt. Amazingly, after a poor start, they are having a really good season being just outside the play offs in the Southern League Premier Division Central, which is the 7th tier of the football pyramid. With so much money sloshing around in football, how sad that many of the lower tiers of football have to constantly struggle to stay afloat.

 

[Sussex Wolf]

Very sad.

Had some interesting conversations with a couple of Horsham FC fans after the game in Barnsley. Some insights into the shenanigans of local councils and local football club owners, which helped to explain Horsham’s struggles to secure themselves a new ground after they sold their previous ground to a property developer not long after we moved to the area. Not dissimilar similar to Brighton really, except on a smaller scale. Luckily for Horsham, they did eventually secure a site and build themselves a new stadium where they have space to grow and a long term future. But it was touch and go. Very touch and go.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

Not good but they have spent big and it’s cost them another club heading to the wall

 

[maws]

https://x.com/nuneatonborofc/status/1722651597904228681?s=46&t=oHBSMh9MB2-b0OlrAMFk0A

Not a million miles from us and a team my lads played against a couple of times. Like pubs, football clubs will keep declining. Shame but all about money.

 

[maws]

Ffs sorry mods can you merge to the other thread!! I posted before checking latest updates doh

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

Not good but they have spent big and it’s cost them another club heading to the wall

Non league is full of clubs that spiralled downwards, ending up broke, some coming back as a "phoenix club after folding

Torquay Utd
Sc unthorpe United
York City
Darlington
Hereford
Chester
Southend Utd
Oldham Athletic
Bury

Heck this list could just keep going sadly.

Some climb there way back up but most don't

 

[WV10Wolf]

Didn’t Nuneaton go bust and have to reform about 15 years ago? You’d have thought they’d have learnt their lesson.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Didn’t Nuneaton go bust and have to reform about 15 years ago? You’d have thought they’d have learnt their lesson.

Indeed they did. They reformed as Nuneaton Town, but later changed it back to their original name. Things started going wrong when they sold Manor Park, many years ago, they had big plans to build a new stadium on the outskirts of town, but the money from the sale of Manor Park vanished.

It is sad to see them in their current predicament, one which could finish them off. I live near Nuneaton and despite the m being on the doorstep of Coventry City, they have a loyal, but dwindling band of supporters. They used to get 1500 plus, but in the last couple of years their gates have been going down. Recently they have averaging about 650.

Everyone is blaming everyone else for the current situation, but failure to pay bills on time and paying higher wages than they can afford could mean the end of another famous old name.

 

[Wolfman jack]

Won another home game away today. Very close to top 4 now.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Stockport County fans bought £2,000 worth of tickets for Nuneatons match at the weekend. They didn’t attend the match, but having been close to going under themselves a few years back, Stockport fans know what it is like to be in serious trouble, so decided to try to help out. The money means Nuneaton live to fight another day, and there is now a possibility of an agreement being reached, allowing Nuneaton to play their home games at Liberty Way for the rest of the year. So there is hope that the Boro‘ could yet be saved.

Well done Stockport County fans. What a magnificent gesture.

 

[WickedWolfie]

Stockport County fans bought £2,000 worth of tickets for Nuneatons match at the weekend. They didn’t attend the match, but having been close to going under themselves a few years back, Stockport fans know what it is like to be in serious trouble, so decided to try to help out. The money means Nuneaton live to fight another day, and there is now a possibility of an agreement being reached, allowing Nuneaton to play their home games at Liberty Way for the rest of the year. So there is hope that the Boro‘ could yet be saved.

Well done Stockport County fans. What a magnificent gesture.

That is a wonderful gesture. Massive respect to the Stockport fans.

 

[glorybox]

I thought the landlords were supporters of the club?

 

[thommo1984]

Stockport County fans bought £2,000 worth of tickets for Nuneatons match at the weekend. They didn’t attend the match, but having been close to going under themselves a few years back, Stockport fans know what it is like to be in serious trouble, so decided to try to help out. The money means Nuneaton live to fight another day, and there is now a possibility of an agreement being reached, allowing Nuneaton to play their home games at Liberty Way for the rest of the year. So there is hope that the Boro‘ could yet be saved.

Well done Stockport County fans. What a magnificent gesture.

As good as that is, it's such a tiny amount of money in the grand scheme of things. The pyramid and discrepancy between the top and bottom is such a rotten mess.

 

[Bankswolf The Third]

As good as that is, it's such a tiny amount of money in the grand scheme of things. The pyramid and discrepancy between the top and bottom is such a rotten mess.

Aren't there plans of looking into the restructure and an expectation that prem clubs do more?

On Stockport my mate is a long term season ticket and I think across their entire fan base now they are blessed with an owner with deep pockets and a love for the club they try to do what they can to help others in need to the point that they have a hard time with teams like Wrexham whose fan base don't seem to share the same sympathies

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

As good as that is, it's such a tiny amount of money in the grand scheme of things. The pyramid and discrepancy between the top and bottom is such a rotten mess.

There’s a lot of truth in that but you also have to look at owners at ALL levels of clubs. In the lower leagues and non-leagues there’s a lot of people who get into clubs for pure financial reasons normally to do with land where it’s much easier to push councils on change of use for a non league club than a league one. The last few years every club I’ve read about being in trouble it’s always surrounded by an owner who has a background in construction and wanting to do something with the ground.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

As good as that is, it's such a tiny amount of money in the grand scheme of things. The pyramid and discrepancy between the top and bottom is such a rotten mess.

Agreed, and Nuneaton will be living week to week until a solution can be found. If more money was filtered down from the premier league, then clubs lower down the pyramid would not be struggling to keep their heads above water.

 

[Kashmire Hawker]

Coventry City are to host Nuneaton’s FA Trophy match this weekend. Very classy.

 

[Wolfman jack]

Nuneaton now got new owners but a deafening silence re being able to play any home games yet. All very strange but they are still in top 4 with potentially, a shed load of home games to look forward to. And yes well done Coventry. Brilliant gesture!

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Some good news for the ‘Boro.

Nuneaton Borough will be using Barwells Kirkby Road stadium for home fixtures. This deal runs until March, by which time Nuneaton hope to have sorted out the issues with their Liberty Stadium. The FA and the Southern league management committee have approved this arrangement.

 

[St. Lukes Reserves]

Some good news for the ‘Boro.

Nuneaton Borough will be using Barwells Kirkby Road stadium for home fixtures. This deal runs until March, by which time Nuneaton hope to have sorted out the issues with their Liberty Stadium. The FA and the Southern league management committee have approved this arrangement.

Don't Hinkley already ground share at Barwell? could be a bit of a challenge fitting three sets of fixtures into one ground

 

[maws]

clubs not owning their grounds is such an issue, same at Hednesford, I wish the FA could somehow make it that grounds are to remain the property of a football club, I know it’s whimsical, but seeing things like what happened at Chester is sad

 

[Wolfman jack]

New owners have suggested significant cost cutting ahead, but hopefully they can survive

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Don't Hinkley already ground share at Barwell? could be a bit of a challenge fitting three sets of fixtures into one ground

Yes, at the moment Hinckley AFC groundshare with Barwell. It has been agreed that Nuneaton will play home games on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoon.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Nuneaton Borough manager Jimmy Ginnelly has stepped down from his position at the club. The landlords of Liberty Way have said they will begin talks with the football club about a return to their home ground, but will not do so while Ginnelly is involved with them. He has been there for several years and has done a lot to turn Nuneaton‘s fortunes around on and off the pitch. Ginnelly himself has said he has no idea why the landlords have taken this stance, but for the sake of the future of Nuneaton Borough he has agreed to terminate his association with the club.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Nuneaton Borough club captain, Scott McManus, has now left the club. He said it was only right that he left after the manager’s departure.

I know a few people involved with the ‘Boro and they haven’t a clue what is going on. It is believed that more players are considering leaving, as the players support their former manager. The future of this football club is once again in jeopardy.

 

[Oldvic161]

It’s a shame it’s happening more than you think, my local team northwich Victoria have no home of their own, problems started when they sold the oldest ground in the country still being used, moved out of the town centre, people stopped going but the team managed ok and played Sunderland 3rd round fa cup a few years back, the money then disappeared, tax man didn’t get paid, administration, sold new ground and have had to start from the bottom. Some towns are too small for 2 clubs…. Northwich has 3 now with the supporters group led 1874 northwich and Witton Albion, fans are too set in their ways a merger would be the best for all.

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

It’s a shame it’s happening more than you think, my local team northwich Victoria have no home of their own, problems started when they sold the oldest ground in the country still being used, moved out of the town centre, people stopped going but the team managed ok and played Sunderland 3rd round fa cup a few years back, the money then disappeared, tax man didn’t get paid, administration, sold new ground and have had to start from the bottom. Some towns are too small for 2 clubs…. Northwich has 3 now with the supporters group led 1874 northwich and Witton Albion, fans are too set in their ways a merger would be the best for all.

Northwich Victoria were one of the biggest non league clubs in the 80's and 90's along with Altrincham etc

Crazy how they have fallen

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

Nuneaton Borough manager Jimmy Ginnelly has stepped down from his position at the club. The landlords of Liberty Way have said they will begin talks with the football club about a return to their home ground, but will not do so while Ginnelly is involved with them. He has been there for several years and has done a lot to turn Nuneaton‘s fortunes around on and off the pitch. Ginnelly himself has said he has no idea why the landlords have taken this stance, but for the sake of the future of Nuneaton Borough he has agreed to terminate his association with the club.

Sounds very fishy to me

Wonder what is really going on here?

 

[St. Lukes Reserves]

Nuneaton Borough club captain, Scott McManus, has now left the club. He said it was only right that he left after the manager’s departure.

I know a few people involved with the ‘Boro and they haven’t a clue what is going on. It is believed that more players are considering leaving, as the players support their former manager. The future of this football club is once again in jeopardy.

Its not that surprising, at that level players often follow a manager. A couple of friends involved at Telford tell me the manager was doing an incredible job under the circumstances so it doesn't bode well.

 

[Me Babbies]

Yes, at the moment Hinckley AFC groundshare with Barwell. It has been agreed that Nuneaton will play home games on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoon.

Yep I can see this ground from my front door! & hear the commentators in the ground say who's scored lol.

A lots gone on at the Borough since the owner got caught with his pants down and his wife took him to the cleaners...

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

A lots gone on at the Borough since the owner got caught with his pants down and his wife took him to the cleaners...

I need to know more now!

 

[Frank Lincoln]

It’s a shame it’s happening more than you think, my local team northwich Victoria have no home of their own, problems started when they sold the oldest ground in the country still being used, moved out of the town centre, people stopped going but the team managed ok and played Sunderland 3rd round fa cup a few years back, the money then disappeared, tax man didn’t get paid, administration, sold new ground and have had to start from the bottom. Some towns are too small for 2 clubs…. Northwich has 3 now with the supporters group led 1874 northwich and Witton Albion, fans are too set in their ways a merger would be the best for all.

For Northwich, read Hinckley.

Hinckley Athletic used to play at Middlefield Lane in the then West Midlands league. Hinckley Town played at Leicester Road, but were only a Leicestershire Senior League team. Athletic (or the Atho as they were known) sold their Middlefield Lane ground for development and a new stadium was built at Leicester Road on the same complex as Hinckley Rugby and cricket club. Eventually Hinckley Town and Athletic merged to become Hinckley United, but it was an uneasy arrangement and eventually the club folded.

Out of the ashes a new club was formed, Hinckley AFC which was run by supporters, but because of previous disagreements over who owned what, they were not allowed to play at Leicester Road, so played at Heather for a while before agreeing a ground share with Barwell FC.

Meanwhile the owners of the Leicester Road stadium formed a new club called Leicester Road. They progressed well and have changed their name to Hinckley Leicester Road, and are currently in the Northern Premier League, midlands division one, but get very poor support. Hinckley AFC are playing in the midlands league, and despite playing at Barwell get much more support than Hinckley Leicester Road.

The sensible option was, and still is for the two teams to merge, and play at the Leicester Road stadium under the Hinckley AFC banner, but that will never happen as both sides have deeply entrenched views and the owners of the Leicester Road stadium will not allow the current Hinckley AFC to play there unless they are owned and run by them. Hinckley AFC will never agree to that, so Hinckley is stuck with two teams in the pyramid system, when there should only be one.

Sorry for the long winded reply.

 

[Oldvic161]

For Northwich, read Hinckley.

Hinckley Athletic used to play at Middlefield Lane in the then West Midlands league. Hinckley Town played at Leicester Road, but were only a Leicestershire Senior League team. Athletic (or the Atho as they were known) sold their Middlefield Lane ground for development and a new stadium was built at Leicester Road on the same complex as Hinckley Rugby and cricket club. Eventually Hinckley Town and Athletic merged to become Hinckley United, but it was an uneasy arrangement and eventually the club folded.

Out of the ashes a new club was formed, Hinckley AFC which was run by supporters, but because of previous disagreements over who owned what, they were not allowed to play at Leicester Road, so played at Heather for a while before agreeing a ground share with Barwell FC.

Meanwhile the owners of the Leicester Road stadium formed a new club called Leicester Road. They progressed well and have changed their name to Hinckley Leicester Road, and are currently in the Northern Premier League, midlands division one, but get very poor support. Hinckley AFC are playing in the midlands league, and despite playing at Barwell get much more support than Hinckley Leicester Road.

The sensible option was, and still is for the two teams to merge, and play at the Leicester Road stadium under the Hinckley AFC banner, but that will never happen as both sides have deeply entrenched views and the owners of the Leicester Road stadium will not allow the current Hinckley AFC to play there unless they are owned and run by them. Hinckley AFC will never agree to that, so Hinckley is stuck with two teams in the pyramid system, when there should only be one.

Sorry for the long winded reply.

We have the supporter run club 1874 northwich, playing at a village teams ground, northwich vics are currently playing at Winsford United but have been shoved in the midland league and it’s a real struggle for a club to survive anyway but adding all the extra travel in it’s crazy, thanks FA it used to be Witton Albion and Vics arguing against a merger but now you can’t get fans of 1874 and Vics to even entertain it because of the infighting of fans which caused the breakaway. I did enjoy watching the local derby Tuesday night it was non stop and some talented lads playing.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

We have the supporter run club 1874 northwich, playing at a village teams ground, northwich vics are currently playing at Winsford United but have been shoved in the midland league and it’s a real struggle for a club to survive anyway but adding all the extra travel in it’s crazy, thanks FA it used to be Witton Albion and Vics arguing against a merger but now you can’t get fans of 1874 and Vics to even entertain it because of the infighting of fans which caused the breakaway. I did enjoy watching the local derby Tuesday night it was non stop and some talented lads playing.

There seem to be a lot of similarities between Northwich and Hinckley. One example is that supporters of Hinckley Athletic were not happy with the merger with Hinckley United, but it was begrudgingly tolerated, but they would never go and watch Hinckley Leicester Road.

 

[Oldvic161]

There seem to be a lot of similarities between Northwich and Hinckley. One example is that supporters of Hinckley Athletic were not happy with the merger with Hinckley United, but it was begrudgingly tolerated, but they would never go and watch Hinckley Leicester Road.

Very much so, when northwich ground shared at Witton Albion, many Vics fans wouldn’t even set foot in the ground. Just waiting for my lottery win so I can buy them all

 

[old wittonian]

Very much so, when northwich ground shared at Witton Albion, many Vics fans wouldn’t even set foot in the ground. Just waiting for my lottery win so I can buy them all

I grew up.following Witton (not related to my user name) in the 1950's. It was very likely had they merged with Northwich they would have been elected to the league. Couldn’t agree on a name. As a compromise Mid Cheshire was proposed but Northwich disagreed. Years later they vetoed our membership of the Northern Premier League. Never been forgiven.
I was at the Central ground for Joe Dale "hole in the net goal" in the FA Cup against Runcorn.

 

[St. Lukes Reserves]

It’s a shame it’s happening more than you think, my local team northwich Victoria have no home of their own, problems started when they sold the oldest ground in the country still being used, moved out of the town centre, people stopped going but the team managed ok and played Sunderland 3rd round fa cup a few years back, the money then disappeared, tax man didn’t get paid, administration, sold new ground and have had to start from the bottom. Some towns are too small for 2 clubs…. Northwich has 3 now with the supporters group led 1874 northwich and Witton Albion, fans are too set in their ways a merger would be the best for all.

Visited the drill field a couple of times watching Telford, one point though, it wasn't the oldest continually used ground in the country, Sandygate in Sheffield has been used by Hallam FC since their formation in 1860.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

Nuneaton Borough have just issued the following statement.


”We regret to announce that Nuneaton Borough FC will be withdrawing from this season's Southern Central Premier League.

Despite the dedicated efforts of our sponsors and officials, the club faces insurmountable challenges in maintaining operations.

Our legal advisors have confirmed that the offer put forward to purchase Liberty Way will not be considered, and no new lease will be given to any entity.

Unfortunately, armed with this information our future investors have had to withdraw any future support.

Furthermore, without additional investment or new investors to provide financial support, the club is unable to continue trading.

In light of these circumstances, we are now considering the liquidation process.

This decision comes with a heavy heart, and we deeply appreciate the unwavering support from our loyal fans and the football community during this challenging time.”


It is very sad that this has happened. Surely, something could have been done to secure the future of the football club.

 

[WV10Wolf]

2nd time they’ve gone bump in 16 years. Maybe they should live within their means.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

2nd time they’ve gone bump in 16 years. Maybe they should live within their means.

It is the third time. I think previously they went under in 1991 and 2008. The one question that has never been answered is what happened to the money when Nuneaton Borough sold the Manor Ground? It is true that some of it was used to develop the rugby club ground at Liberty Way, but that still leaves hundreds of thousands of pounds unaccounted for.

The club will reform, albeit at a lower level, and hopefully live within their means this time. A good Nuneaton football team will attract gates of over a thousand, even in the lower levels of the pyramid. Hopefully someone with football and commercial sense can help to reform this famous old club.