THE future of St Albans City is likely to be clarified one way or the other on Tuesday, January 8, when a petition to wind up the Clarence Park club is due to go before the High Court in London.

In view of this hearing, the Ryman League management committee has decided to postpone a decision on the possible suspension of the Premier Division club for non-compliance with various league requirements.

Threats of suspension arose after the committee, under rule 2e, issued an instruction to St Albans City in early December to provide a cash-flow forecast for the remainder of the season as well as other assurances that league commitments can be met.

After majority shareholder Lee Harding claimed not to have received this, the committee faxed a copy of the instruction to the club on December 13, giving Harding two weeks to comply.

This deadline was missed, and, although immediate suspension was discussed, it was decided at Friday's meeting to delay any decision until after the High Court hearing.

Ian Rogers, chairman of the St Albans City Supporters Club, said: "There's nothing we can do about it. Our hands our tied. Lee's the only one that knows the club's true financial situation."

For the full story, see the St Albans Observer on Thursday, January 3.