Wrexham chairman quits amid crisis

Alex Hamilton may re-consider his resignation

Wrexham Football Club chairman Alex Hamilton has resigned during a meeting of the directors, it has emerged.

It followed a disagreement with two other club directors.

Earlier, Mr Hamilton was believed to be reconsidering his position and it was reported he may withdraw his resignation.

But directors Dave Bennett and Dave Griffiths say they have accepted the resignation and plan to form a new board on Monday.

Mr Hamilton was unavailable for comment on Friday evening.

The directors are to hold a meeting with Wrexham Supporters' Trust, which is putting together a takeover proposal for the club, following the appointment of the new board.

Mr Bennett said they were also looking to have a meeting with the Inland Revenue as soon as possible to discuss the club's financial position.

The club has had its bank account frozen and an insolvency specialist has been called in.

We need people there - if they want this club to survive they've got to show up Denis Smith, Wrexham manager

A spokesman for the crisis-hit League One club confirmed that the players will be paid late as a result of the bank account being frozen.

The squad are aware of the financial problems but Saturday's game at the Racecourse with Hull City is still on.

The new problems come a day after power was cut off for several hours at the ground for non-payment of bills.

Wrexham manager Denis Smith said his players knew they would not be paid on Friday but were expecting to be paid after Saturday's game.

He said the team were concentrating on their football and not the problems at the club.

"We just have to get on with it," he said.

Smith urged fans to put their money where their mouth was and turn up for the home game against Hull.

"We need people there - if they want this club to survive they've got to show up," he added.

Wrexham skipper Darren Ferguson has appealed for a big turnout

"I don't care if they're Premiership fans - have a day off from Man United, Liverpool or whoever, they don't need the money like we do.

"Come along for the next couple of games, or at least tomorrow."

Captain Darren Ferguson added: "I'd just encourage as many fans to turn up as possible. I think Hull will bring quite a few which is helpful - it's a big game."

The club spokesman said there was money in the bank and they were working with HSBC to try to resolve the situation.

On Thursday, Scottish Power-Manweb said it had taken the last resort of turning the power off at the Racecourse after "failing to resolve issues" with the League One club.

Fans

The power was restored a few hours later.

Debts at the Racecourse are believed to be up to £5m, including a tax bill of £800,000.

The Inland Revenue has already lodged a petition to wind up the club, which is due to be heard in the High Court next month.

Alex Hamilton has previously said it may be "impossible for the club to avoid administration and or liquidation in the short term."

He said he had already committed £632,500 of his own money to the running of Wrexham by way of an interest-free loan.

The controversial owner says his family have now persuaded him not to pay a further £200,000 to help pay the Inland Revenue debt.

Wrexham Council has said it wants to buy the Racecourse Ground to safeguard its location on Mold Road in the town.