Settlement ends threat of legal action

EVO-STIK League Ilkeston FC have received a massive eve-of-the-season boost after resolving legal action threatening the club’s future.

The Premier Division club announced on Friday that they’d reached an out of court settlement with John Thompson who suffered serious facial and other injuries in July 2011 when he was involved in a clash with Gary Ricketts during a pre-season game against Mansfield Town.

Because Ricketts was a contracted employee of Ilkeston FC, it meant the club was at risk of being found jointly liable for his actions. Although the cost of the settlement of the claim against the club combined with legal fees is substantial, Ilkeston FC chairman Dave Mantle says that at least the club knows where it stands now.

He said: "The issue has been hanging over us for the past three years and I have to admit that there have been times - especially in recent months - when I thought we might not get through it.

"The settlement along with legal costs have had a big impact upon our finances and the situation has forced us to make decisions about the way the club operates that we might not necessarily have taken in different circumstances.

"Thankfully though, we have managed to reach an amicable agreement without any admission of liability and it means that finally, we can look to the future with more confidence."

Mantle added: "I have every sympathy for John Thompson and the situation he found himself in. You could argue that the injuries were not the club’s doing but because Gary Ricketts was a contracted employee of Ilkeston FC, it meant we were at risk of being found jointly liable with him for those injuries."