Redditch boss Matt Gardiner's fears over Ilkeston's demise

Sep 11 2010 by Colin Stoner, Birmingham Mail

MATT Gardiner says clubs must learn lessons from the plight of Ilkeston Town who have gone into financial meltdown.

Redditch United were due to play Ilkeston today in the Blue Square Bet North but the home fixture has been cancelled after the Derbyshire side were wound up at a High Court hearing in midweek.

Ilkeston owe £50,000 to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs. They face being expelled from the league and would occupy one of the relegation places Redditch are trying to escape from.

The Reds have suffered their own financial problems and say clubs need to be aware they cannot spend what they do not have.

Boss Gardiner said: “I don’t want to see clubs going under. I don’t take any comfort from them being wound up but clubs have a responsibility.”

■ Solihull Moors insist they will focus on the positives rather than dwell on the late goals which ruined last weekend’s trip to Workington.

Bob Faulkner’s side looked set for a memorable win at one of the title favourites, only for an 88th-minute own goal and a decider five minutes into stoppage time to give second-placed Workington a 2-1 verdict.

Moors’ assistant manager Micky Moore: “It was a long journey home but we have to look at the positives.

“We have to remember this is a new group of players. We knew it would take seven or eight games for them to settle in together. “But we’ve shown we can go and give anybody a game.”

Today, Moors face another test against another likely candidate when third-placed AFC Telford United visit Damson Park.