LLANELLI WOUND UP

Llanelli AFC, who have won the Welsh Premier league in the past, have wound up after incurring more than £ 20,000 in tax debts. The club was formed in 1896 and it was one of the founding members of the league, when it was started in 1992.

The size of the debts at the club has been under a microscope for the last one year. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said that the club took no steps in order to repay the £ 3000 debt. This is not the first time that the club has come close to being wound up. However, they survived the scare on three occasions.

They finished the league campaign in 11th position, but they would not have been able to compete in the league next season as they had been denied a domestic licence that is required by clubs in order to participate in the league. The taxman has been requesting a complete wind up order for quite a while and it finally came through from the Registrar Christine Derrett. The lawyers representing the club, though, argued that the club was willing to pay the debts as far as possible, but the registrar overruled them by saying that they have had enough time.

"I am sorry, it seems to me it was made perfectly clear exactly what was expected and I am not satisfied that steps have been taken as required. I am going to make the usual compulsory order," said Christine Derrett. Llanelli AFC may not be the only team to wound up at the end of the season, as it looks extremely likely that there will be a few clubs to follow them. Neath FC was the last Welsh Premier league club to suffer a similar fate, and they wound up in May of last year.