A huge 87% indicated they would not attend Brunton Park unless hated owner Michael Knighton is removed from power. An earlier poll here on CUFC Online produced an even more emphatic result of 91% supporting a boycott. The newspaper poll, which attracted over 1,500 votes, produced a total score of 1,313 for a boycott and just 196 against. The result will heap even more pressure on embattled directors Mark Knighton and Andrea Whittaker, who are now believed to be working three-day weeks along with most of the staff at the club in a desperate bid to stay afloat throughout the summer. The boycott plan looks likely to decimate season ticket sales, the prices for which have yet to be announced. The club owe an estimated £2 million, with the biggest creditor being the Bristol & West Investments plc, a small financial house who have a loan of £960,000 secured on land and buildings at Brunton Park and guaranteed by the Knighton family. The Inland Revenue are thought to be owed more than £500,000 with other creditors following on close behind. At least a dozen out of contract players have now joined the list of people owed money after failing to agree severance payments with the directors last week. Only a handful of players are believed to have accepted the vastly reduced pay offer. The PFA have taken the case up with the club, who are also thought to be under investigation by the Football Association. In addition, Mr Knighton and the club are being investigated by the Department of Trade and Industry, who banned the United owner from acting as a director for five and a half years in September 2000. The inquiry comes after a growing pile of evidence that Mr Knighton was in breach of his ban was sent to the DTI. Reds and Gretna in bid to join Scots Although United's board has ruled out any move to the Scottish League, two other local clubs are both preparing bids to replace collapsed Airdrieonians in the Scottish Third Division next season. Workington Reds have announced they are to join Gretna in preparing a bid. One of the big selling points in moving north of the border would be the chance to get back on BBC's Granstand after an absence of 25 years. Reds chairman Dale Brotherton said: "It will push Workington forward. It would raise the profile of the club significantly. At the moment, our results aren't broadcast in the media on a national basis on Grandstand at five-to-five on a Saturday and we don't appear on pools coupons. "We would also have the chance of playing Rangers or Celtic in the Scottish Cup or League Cup and we would receive £80,000 to £100,000 from the Scottish League as our share of TV rights." Workington were thrown out of the Football League back in 1977 after they failed to win enough votes in the annual re-election. They were replaced by Wimbledon who went on to reach the Premiership and win the FA Cup. There is also a precedent for English teams to play in Scotland. Berwick Rangers, based in Northumberland a few miles south of the Scottish border, are in the Scottish League. Ironically Gretna, who have attempted before to win election to the Scottish League, play in the English Unibond League despite playing their games in Scotland. Picture from News & Star |
