Darwen FC 'owner' banned from Anchor Ground

Darwen FC "owner" Ted Ward has been banned from The Anchor Ground following a legal dispute over the rightful ownership of the club.

Ted Ward now risks going to prison if he fails to comply with the court order. The hearing took place at Birmingham's Civil Justice Centre in which previous owner, Kevin Henry, claimed he had received just £20,000 of the £95,000 agreed for the sale of Darwen FC over 18 months ago.

Mohammed Zaman, who was acting on behalf of Mr Henry told the court how a separate company had been setup called Darwen Football and Rugby Club to have a very similar name to the original company "Darwen Football and Social Club" which was set-up in 1973.

It is claimed this was done to pass the new company off as the old one and allow Mr Ward to divert funds into the new company. The Lancashire Telegraph recently reported that 'The court was shown evidence that no money had been banked into the account of Darwen Football and Social Club between December 2006 and January 2008.'

Representing himself in court, Mr Ward said "It’s a terrible statement to say we were diverting funds." and showed a copy of his personal bank statement, telling them "“I am a man of substance."

However, Judge Kirkham said the second company had been set up “to present a muddled picture to the outside world.” and granted the injunction meaning Mr Ward and his assistant, Ms Baiste, are banned from The Anchor Ground and may face prison if they are found in breech of the terms of the court order.

The ruling raises doubts over the short-term future of local newspaper The Darrener, which is being run from portacabins in The Anchor Ground. We are unsure whether staff of The Darrener will still be allowed access to their offices or if the court order simply applies to the owner and his assistant. Either way it's unlikely Mr Henry, who says he's looking forward to running the club again, will allow them to continue operating from The Anchor Ground without paying rent.

In other news, the lease of The Anchor Ground has been renewed following speculation the land would be sold for housing after the current lease expired in 2010. Once all the paper work has been completed the new lease will run for 21 years.

Does this also spell the end of any plans for a £22m development at Robin Bank? Was it ever likely to happen or was it just a pipe dream? Would you be in favour of a move away from The Anchor Ground to Robin Bank? If not, what do you think the land should be used for?

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