Legal team worked hard to make 'impossible possible'
Capital Law has advised on the £1.8m purchase of Wrexham FC's Racecourse and Colliers Park training ground by Glyndwr University.
The legal practice worked around and against the clock to complete a unique deal which needed to comply with articles of governance in place for the university, as well as Football Conference and Football Association rules.
The terms agreed were crucial to the football club in its race against Football Conference deadlines to comply with certain conditions or face expulsion from the Blue Square Premier League.
All conditions - which included payment of a £250,000 bond; outstanding payment of players and staff; a signed ground licence and a business plan - were met enabling the team to continue to compete in the league.
The university's acquisition means Wrexham FC and, potentially, Celtic Crusaders Rugby League Club, can continue to use the oldest still-in-use international football ground in the world and the training ground as before.
Leanne O'Brien, associate at Capital Law, who led the deal alongside colleagues Gareth Howlett, Iwan Williams, Sarah Forster and Tom Lloyd, said: "This has been a unique project which needed the kind of bespoke solution that you can only provide if you have an excellent understanding of your clients' needs, as well as the legalities.
"There were many considerations in terms of compliance for Glyndwr as a university as well as the legal complexities imposed by the Football Conference and the FA.
"Added to that, we had to factor in and make arrangements in relation to any third party contracts relating to the grounds.
"The clock was ticking on Wrexham FC's very existence and working on something with such a tight turnaround time was challenging, but ultimately energising. We're not your traditional nine-to-five firm at Capital Law. We get to know our clients and gel with them to deliver the solution the situation demands."
Professor Michael Scott, vice chancellor and chief executive of Glyndwr University, said: "Wrexham FC is a huge community asset for the people of North-East Wales.
"The team at Capital Law worked hard and smart to make what at times felt impossible, possible."
