Victory in battle for Wrexham FC; Fans take to streets to celebrate judge's ruling.

Byline: By CARL BUTLER

WREXHAM fans were celebrating last night as boss Alex Hamilton lost his battle for the Racecourse.

A High Court judge declared the valuable freehold of Wrexham FC's ground was "vested in the club" not Hamilton.

Hundreds of ecstatic Wrexham fans cheered and chanted We Shall Not Be Moved as administrator David Acland revealed the High Court victory.

The Dragons were facing eviction from the Racecourse by Hamilton's Crucial Move company.

The decision will unlock the floodgates to new offers to snap up the cashstrapped League Two side - with a possible sale by Christmas.

Hamilton was also told he could not appeal to the High Court.

If he asks the Court of Appeal to overturn the decision, he may be asked to first put up cash to cover legal costs - but Crucial Move is assetless, until it gets a pounds 300,000-plus pay-out from the club's sale.

The ruling makes him both a shareholder and a creditor.

Fans and administrators last night sounded a note of caution saying the club was not saved until a new buyer was found.

It means the administrators of the cash-troubled club now have a better chance of selling the club and when they do they must pay Mr Hamilton pounds 300,000 - what he paid for the club originally - from the proceeds.

The "acquisition costs" were thought to be pounds 50,000.

No decision was announced about who must pay costs of the legal proceedings in Birmingham.

One of the two administrators Steve Williams said last night the case was originally due to be heard next month.

He added: "We were seeking an order the freehold of the Racecourse ground is vested in the club.

"Following disclosure of certain documents in the proceedings our counsel was of the strong opinion that Crucial Move has no defence to the proceedings and an immediate application should be made for summary judgement.

"Subject to the outcome of any appeal procedure our intention is to seek the sale of the club at the earliest opportunity in the hope of securing its long term survival."

His colleague David Acland added: "We are delighted to have taken this step forward, however the game is still to be played, the object at the outset was to sell the club as a going concern and that is still our aim.

"What we have achieved today is to take a huge step forward."

But he warned: "I would avoid champagne corks popping at the moment until we have achieved a sale.

"What we need to do now is invite all those parties who have made a bid to come forward again with a revised offer based on their assessment of the value of the club.

"It enables us to eliminate one of the obstacles and that was a fairly huge obstacle."

He said there were three or four potential buyers in the wings. He hoped they might have a sale before Christmas. Lifelong supporter Colin Bithell, of Penyffordd, Mold, said: "I have supported the club for over 30 years and this is one of our finest days.

"There have been things wrong with the club for some years but we need to make sure that we do not get in this mess again. We can take this club to bigger heights but we need a good solid set of directors."

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said: "I am delighted the ground is now back in the club's hands - this is fantastic news, and I am sure many Wrexham fans have been celebrating since they have heard it

JUDGE'S VERDICT

BIRMINGHAM High Court Judge Norris QC yesterday handed down a verdict in favour of the club.

He said: "I will declare the registered freehold title, of which Crucial Move is now the proprietor, is held on trust for the club, subject to a charge in favour of Crucial Move to secure payment of pounds 300,000 plus the original acquisition costs

CAPTION(S):

Fan Ffion Walker, eight, of Borras, wears a Dragons shirt showing appreciation for the judge, right, top, fans cheer the news, below, administrators David Acland and Steve Williams with manager Denis Smith