As approved at the 2017 AGM, the club is changing to a limited company. This was a result of advice from RFU after legal action from a Sale Sharks player to their medical staff. As well as safeguarding the club and our assets, it also provides additional tax benefits over the existing CASC status.

This has proven to be a long process, and as always dependent on volunteers and in this case those who have the relevant understanding of what is required. I am pleased to say we have been working with our accountants and a local solicitor, and are now in an advanced stage in the process and with a following wind could be in a position to transfer status at or shortly after the AGM.

Two companies have been created and registered with companies house. Sandbach Rugby Club Trading Limited which effectively takes income from such as the bar, and Sandbach Rugby Football Club Limited which is a company by guarantee and is the holding company which owns the club’s assets and manages the club.

Articles of association have been agreed for Sandbach Rugby Football Club Limited and as suggested in the RFU’s template to establish the company, five directors have been registered. These being the president, chairman, vice chairman, treasurer and secretary. Up to seven more directors can be added. These articles are very similar to the existing club rules but are more extensive and effectively a legal version.

There are more actions to complete before we can make the change but these are now dependent on third parties such as HMRC, Land Registry and the RFU.

When all activities completed and the structure for managing the club agreed by the existing committee we will present to all members at an EGM.