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It appears that Nigel Harrop has been negotiating with a third party prior to Ilkeston FC being wound up. The upshot appears to be that the lease is now in the hands of the solicitors representing this third party. This could prove troublesome for Ilkeston United Community Football Club's bid to use the ground in 2018/19 season. The identity of the third party is unknown but could be any of the following, All Eight The South African/Spanish football agents, Mister Hardy from Notts County, Mr David Smith from Aston United, Wayne Kennedy and Mr Knighton, Dave Mantle, Ilkeston Academy, Mr Scopes from Bermuda or even Chek White. In other words I have no idea who it is but more importantly how they have got to this without a club to play on it! Could it actually be someone who does have a club to play on it!
Overall it is another example of intriguing but frustrating game of smoke and mirrors played by the owners of Ilkeston FC!
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According to a poster on the excellent Non League Matters forum there was a charge on the lease of the New Manor Ground since March 2015. The poster gleaned this information from the Companies House website. This development suggests that Dave Mantle may still own the lease or has sold it to claw back his share of the charge!
So again the plot thickens and the situation at Ilkeston Football Club becomes even less transparent than its usual muddy state!