Ilkeston Town sold to SR Education
Nottinghamshire-based sports training company SR Education is the new owner of Ilkeston Town Football Club having successfully bid for the club’s assets for an undisclosed sum.
The club went into liquidation in September because of its failure to pay a £50,000 debt due to HMRC. And following a period of the assets being marketed for sale, four parties lodged bids with the liquidator to purchase the lease on the New Manor Ground, existing plant and equipment and other assets.
After discussions with Erewash Borough Council, liquidator Dean Nelson, head of corporate recovery and insolvency services at Smith Cooper business advisers in Derby, decided that SR Education was best placed to purchase the club’s assets.
Nelson said: “Since being appointed as liquidator I have undertaken a thorough process, which was clearly necessary given the level of interest shown and I would like to publicly thank the four parties who submitted sealed bids for the ownership of the assets of Ilkeston Town FC.
“Having fully considered the bids, contracts have now been signed and I am confident that SR Education is the most appropriate offer which is in the best interests of the club and its creditors. I am confident that once SR Education has been given the opportunity to outline their plans, the fans and local community will also agree.
“SR Education submitted a robust commercial business plan which detailed its vision and ambitions for the new club. I could not fail to be impressed with the competence of the team involved, which also secures the ongoing involvement of both Kevin Wilson and Darren Caskey, who have been fantastic throughout what has been a difficult eight week period for everyone concerned.
“I am confident that the new club can now move forward to prosper in the future for the good of the supporters and the wider community and hope that the Football Association give sufficient regard to the wonderful infrastructure already in place when it ultimately decides at what level the new club will partake.”
Erewash Borough Council has welcomed the announcement, saying it is "a good outcome" for Ilkeston and all who enjoy football.
