Northwich Victoria say they need to raise £5,000 in 48 hours to avoid closure

NORTHWICH VICTORIA say they must raise £5,000 in the next two days to settle historic debts and satisfy the Football Association – or face closure.

The Vics, historically a huge Non-League name, have fallen on hard times in the recent past and their former owner Jim Rushe was imprisoned last year.

Northwich are in administration for the third time in under a decade – with their Supporters’ Association hopeful of taking the club over – and were relegated from the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South at the end of last season.

However, if they are to carry on and begin next term at Step 5, they will need to raise £5,000 in the next 48 hours.

The Cheshire outfit claim supporters have raised £66,000 over the past year to help pay off debts left by the previous regime.

A further £15,000 was needed to pay off the rest of the shortfall and take the club out of administration – with two-thirds of that figure secured.

The Vics have now asked for more help to secure their 143-year history with time running out.

A Northwich statement read: “Over the past 12 months our amazing fans have contributed a staggering £66,000 to repay debt off from previous management and to also run the club efficiently and properly as a community club.

“As part of the agreement to take the club out of administration it became apparent that the final £15,000 was required by the FA to settle all debts off from previous ownership to stop the club from folding and after another generous amount of donations the supporters have raised a further £11,000 leaving us just £5,000 short of our target.

“Our appeal to anyone footballing loving friend or colleague however big or small the donation is that we simply have 48 hours to meet this financial deadline with the FA or all our efforts will be in vain.”

Help us raise £5000 to Save Northwich Victoria Football Club. Please #donate on @justgiving and RT. Thanks! https://t.co/X31NX1iyXb

— Northwich Victoria FC (@NorthwichVicsFC) June 12, 2017