Stirling Albion could be evicted from Forthbank

Feb 5 2010 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion are inching closer to eviction from Forthbank after Stirling Council revealed it is going to court to recover unpaid rents and rates from the club, writes DONALD MORTON.

The figure is believed to be in the region of £100,000 and is made up of non-domestic rates for 2008/09 and 2009/10 plus rental and service charges.

The council has a summary warrant for the recovery of the 2008/09 debt which was put on hold while there were active negotiations between parties. Following the lack of response from Stirling Albion this warrant is being passed to Sheriff Officers for recovery.

The local authority will seek a further summary warrant at the end of the month to recover this year's non domestic rates.

A separate action is being handled in Stirling Sheriff Court to recover rental/service charges, with a court date unlikely to fixed for some weeks.

A council spokesperson said: “The council is still hopeful that Stirling Albion will enter into meaningful negotiations but if there is no reasonable dialogue or acceptance of the council's offer then there is the chance that further legal measures to recover the sums owed will be required.

“If the council terminates the lease the club would have to consider what options they may have. That is a decision for Stirling Albion.

“The council wishes to emphasise they are not taking any steps to place Stirling Albion into administration.”

The news has come as a shock to fans who heard the revelations at a supporters’ trust meeting earlier this week.

Supporters’ trust spokesperson Paul Goodwin said: “Obviously the fans are concerned by the lack of information. We don’t know what is happening between owner Peter McKenzie and the council.

“Our fans feel totally in the dark about the club’s future.”

The trust launched a bid to buy the club last May with fans worldwide paying £40 for a trust membership.

Then in August Mr McKenzie turned down an offer from the trust, believed to be around £300,000.

In December sports surgeon Gordon Mackay outlined his plans to take over the club and his bid is still undergoing due diligence on financial matters – something which also has the fans worried.

Goodwin added: “Until we hear otherwise, we have to assume that Mr Mackay’s takeover bid might not happen. Two months to do due diligence on a business with so few assets does seem a very long time. If this does prove to be the case then the trust will once again present the only viable option for the Stirling Albion’s future.”

When we contacted Mr McKenzie yesterday (Thursday) he was unavailable for comment.