Reds rent arrears crisis

Llanelli Town Council has given the Reds 28 days to pay £18,000 rent arrears.

This comes at a time when the HMRC have lodged a winding up order at London’s Highcourt ahead of a hearing on Monday.

In a statement, the town council said it had been “very patient” with the football club and had invested in improvements at the ground but had to stand firm in the interests of Llanelli council tax payers.

The statement read: “Following a meeting with the chairman, Mr Nitin Parekh, in July of this year, assurances were given that an immediate payment would be made against the arrears with the remainder being settled before the end of July.

“These payments never materialised and after numerous further assurances the council instructed their solicitors to write to the football club seeking payment of the arrears, some of which date back to December 2011.

The statement said the council was within its rights to take immediate possession of the ground and social club but was allowing both a “period of grace” in the hope of “dialogue”.

The town council said it is owed £9,147.60 in respect of the football club and £9,109.82 over the social club.

Council leader Carl Lucas said: “The town council has been very patient with Llanelli AFC Ltd with regard to the payment of their rent.

“The council has heavily subsidised Stebonheath Park and has invested in its future with improvements of the football pitch and infrastructure.

“It is very disappointing to see the football club in such dire financial trouble but the council has to do what is right for the council tax payers of Llanelli.

“It is hoped that, with the period of grace we have given the club, a dialogue will take place that will resolve the situation to the benefit of both parties and the club can continue to bring credit to the town.”