An alleged assault and death threat on News & Star reporter Vic Gibson and further allegations of assault on 17-year-old supporter Kevin Archibald are both being investigated by the local force who have taken several witness statements already. Knighton was involved in heated exchanges during a Radio Cumbria phone-in three weeks ago and after the show went off-air, he was alleged to have threatened the life of Gibson, a senior reporter with the local paper in an incident seen by Radio Cumbria staff and two members of the supporters' trust, Alan Steel and John Wilson. When Knighton held a meeting for so-called 'non-confrontational' supporters on Friday May 31 at Brunton Park, he ended up getting involved in a confrontation himself, after which Archibald contacted the police to make a complaint. Several people witnessed this incident and have all been interviewed by the police since. Fewer than 20 fans were allowed inside to attend the meeting, which lasted for 3 hours and included a promise by Mr Knighton that his son Mark Knighton would put millions into the club and that fans would have control of some of the budget for player acquisitions and salaries. The events come during a difficult period for Mr Knighton, who is facing a winding-up petition at the High Court on June 26 over an unpaid £416,000 tax bill. He is expected to ask for more time to pay the bill, citing the continued support of main sponsor Eddie Stobart and the support of a proposed 'supporters board' of 'associate directors'. It is not clear if any supporters are willing to put themselves on to such a board, although Mr Knighton claims he has people who are prepared to back his plans. United are thought to owe over £2 million in total, but it is not known whether other creditors have attached themselves to the petition yet. Under the terms of the Insolvency Act of 1986 other creditors and shareholders may also attend the hearing to make their case. The higher the amount owed, the more unlikely that beleagured United will be able to fend off the appointment of receivers. John Courtenay and Brooks Mileson have already said they are prepared to work together to launch a joint bid to buy the club should it fall into the hands of the receiver. The full extent of the debts have never been revealed by Mr Knighton and there has been speculation that his holding company, previously thought to be the biggest creditor may actually owe money to the football club. The last filed accounts show this to be the case at the end of the 2000-01 season, but the financial balance may have been altered since that time. CUFC Holdings, the holding company that owns 93 per cent of the shares has an outstanding £960,000 loan with the Bristol & West Investments finance house. This is secured on Brunton Park. This loan will not be a direct factor in the winding-up unless Knighton has moved the debt and the secured asset over to the football club, in which case the Bristol & West would be able repossess the ground and appoint their own liquidator to sell it. Meanwhile, the club's two highest rated players, Richie Foran and Lee Andrews are resisting attempts by the club to sell them. Both have been linked to Preston North End and the club insist there is interest in them but are refusing to reveal the clubs concerned, even to the players agents. Picture from News & Star www.newsandstar.co.uk |
