AFC Telford club papers released by council

The documents, some of which date back to 2014, include details of a £45,000 loan to AFC Telford from the proceeds of the sale of the Bucks Head pub provided to meet critical stadium safety checks.

However, the council has said it will appeal part of the Information Commissioners decision "which relates to ongoing legal discussions relating to the lease for the stadium".

A statement from the council added: "As such, it is the council’s view that this information should continue to be withheld under Sections 41 and 42 of the Freedom of Information Act. "

The authority had originally refused to provide some of the requested information it held when a Freedom of Information request was made to the authority.

It stated several reasons for the refusal including health and safety, commercial sensitivity and that information was provided in confidence, according to a report from the Information Commissioner.

The documents were requested by former councillor Adrian Williams – a long-time critic of the council.

He claimed the documents he was sent under the Freedom of Information request were mostly blacked out.

Earlier this month, following a ruling by the Information Commissioner, the council was given 36 days to release the documents.

A statement from the club said it welcomed the release of the information as it would end speculation and rumour about the correspondence.

"AFC Telford fully respects that the council is operating under the Freedom of Information Act and it is a council decision what documents to release.

"Whilst in 2015 a number of these items were commercially sensitive, because they were under discussion and negotiation, the football club actually now welcomes the council releasing these documents, because it finally gives us the opportunity to comment on incorrect stories and speculation that has appeared in the press and on social media."

The club also rejected claims it had threatened to take legal action in an effort to prevent the release of the documents. "There has been speculation that AFC Telford United officials threatened legal action against the council regarding the release of these documents," the statement added.

"This is not the case, there was no threatened legal action, we wouldn’t have had a case, we have a good relationship with the council and wouldn’t have contemplated legal action.

"There would have never been a need for such legal action and there is no way AFC Telford United could finance completely unnecessary legal action."

Telford & Wrekin Council said they had released copies of 'the majority' of correspondence that staff and officers have had with representatives of AFC Telford United.

"The release of information means the council has complied with a decision by the information commissioner," he authority said in a statement.

"What has been released includes information featuring historic email trails and confidential correspondence. Some of the information released dates back as far as 2014.

"The council’s original decision to not release the relevant information was taken nearly 12 months ago. Much of this information was provided in confidence by AFC Telford United and was, at the time, commercially sensitive for the club.

"However, a number of changes relating to AFC Telford United’s ownership model have taken place relatively recently, including new investment in the club by shareholders. This means the council is now in a position to make the information public."