SUPPORTERS concerns have been raised today following the Football Association’s decision not to allow the Reds’ friendly match at Boston United to take place.
The situation is a complex one but central to it is the transfer of the club’s membership from the old Barnsley Football Club Ltd to Barnsley Football Club 2002 Ltd, coupled with the conditions laid down in the Football Association’s rules governing insolvency.
During the period December 2002 to May 2003 the club was allowed to fulfil its playing commitments as though it was still in administration. In other words technically RSM Robson Rhodes were responsible for each fixture. That is also the reason why other clubs can play friendly matches at the current time.
Since the beginning of July 2003 the club has been working strenuously towards satisfying the insolvency criteria. Many of the items are complex, such as two-year cash flow projections; others require the involvement of third parties
such as solicitors or the Sterling Consortium.
The majority of the criteria have either been satisfied in full or are awaiting Football Association / Football League approval. The remainder are at an advanced stage.
Unfortunately, the FA policy allows only for black and white – there can be no grey areas. In other words being close to satisfying the criteria is not sufficient, the criteria must
be fully satisfied.
Whilst the cancellation of the Boston match has understandably caused renewed concern amongst supporters, the Club has already provided the two football bodies with further supporting information today and believe that the current uncertainty will be lifted before Saturday’s proposed friendly at Partick Thistle.
We will be able to release more news on www.barnsleyfc.co.uk on Friday July 25, 2003.
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