Nuneaton Borough have been locked out of their ground, the Liberty Way Stadium, due to rent arrears dating back to 2019.
The club have been playing their home games at Stratford Town FC while seeking to find a resolution with the landlord, Arden Tigress, who served an eviction notice on the ground a month ago.
Club representatives have suggested that the club has lost out on £60,000 in revenue from home games and events, in the time that they have been locked out.
Nuneaton Borough rent issues date back to Covid-19 pandemic
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Nuneaton Borough have struggled to keep up with their rent payments, largely due to the impact of the Covid pandemic and the lack of gate receipts.
The Nuneaton Borough owner, Jimmy Ginnelly, said: “I’m begging you to open these gates for the people of Nuneaton Borough.”
The eviction notice has left the Warwickshire-based club on the brink of administration with a range of options being explored to prolong the club’s future.
Nuneaton on the brink of administration
In a statement released on 12 November, the club said: “This week we will continue our attempts to liaise with the landlord to find a solution and reopen the stadium. That is our priority, but if this fails a ground share will also be looked into, although it is not an ideal or preferred solution.
“We have received several enquiries regarding a potential club takeover and will be evaluating these options this week. We are open to any proposals that would ensure the club’s continued existence.”
The Boro have been able to play their last two away games against Coventry Sphinx and Banbury due to the ongoing support of the fans. Nuneaton won 4-2 away at Banbury in the FA Trophy on Saturday to secure their eight win in a row in all competitions.
The club addressed the fans directly in their latest statement: “We hope you will follow the team in your numbers. Not only does your support boost the players, we also receive a share of the gate receipts.”
Fan reaction to Nuneaton Borough administration threat
BBC Sport Coventry & Warwickshire interviewed fans who attended the game on Saturday. One supporter said: “Without football, Nuneaton is finished. We need football for the kids, for the community. And without football it’s no good.”
Nuneaton Borough fans reflect on the situation at their club ahead of today's game. https://t.co/cPGGfrD9rG pic.twitter.com/wKhHx4sNNc
— BBC Sport Coventry & Warwickshire (@BBCCWRSport) November 18, 2023
What's next for Nuneaton Borough?
Nuneaton are scheduled to play Southern League Premier Division Central leaders Mickleover away on Saturday. However, the immediate future of the club continues to be in danger. We'll keep you updated here on Football Ground Guide.