WREXHAM FC has appealed for fans to come forward and “name and shame” a specific person who they say has been waging a campaign against the club.
On Friday, supporters’ website Red Passion was temporarily shut down after its moderator said he had received correspondence from solicitors on behalf of chairman Geoff Moss ordering that “objectionable material” be taken down.
At the same time, a statement was issued on Wrexham FC's website calling for information on a regular contributor to Red Passion, known as Henry J, who they claim has been calling sponsors and encouraging them not to do business with the club.
It follows allegations that Wrexham FC employs two people who two years ago were the subject of a national newspaper investigation which branded them “charity scammers”.
Red Passion was up and running again on Friday afternoon, but moderators were forced to “zero” – or take down – all previous content because they say they had not been informed which particular posts solicitors had found to be objectionable.
A statement on the site by moderator Rob Taylor reads: “As you might notice the RP forums are looking a little empty, this is due to legal correspondence from Gamlins Solicitors acting on behalf of their client, Mr Geoffrey Moss, a director of Wrexham Football Club Limited.
“A complaint was received, it however did not provide specific information to the content they found objectionable.
"I requested specifics so I could remove any objectionable content, as I and others have done many times before.
“Sadly I have been notified at 11am that Gamlins will not provide me with that information, without cost. As a result I, or others, do not have the time to read through 222,000 posts inside the 24 hour deadline issued.
“Due to this, I have been left with no option but to ‘zero’ the Red Passion forum posts and re-open the forum to new posts only.
“This is very regrettable as the historic record of the forum is being lost, for example many years of live match threads, European years memories and the like.
“I do hope this situation changes, and I am provided with the information requested so I can comply with the request to remove objectionable material and return the RP site to its former glory.”
Over the weekend contributors to the site have reacted with incredulity to the move, and to what they claim is a “witch-hunt” by the club against Henry J.
The statement from the club reads: “We have no problem with supporters poking fun at the directors or the criticising the club, manager or the players.
“However, we draw the line at offensive and potentially libellous comments and the publication of personal information. We have written to the moderator of a certain forum expressing our concerns on this issue.
“One member who calls himself Henry J has been running a campaign against the club, which involves calling many of our sponsors and encouraging them not to deal with us.
“Calls were even made to the Rugby League and Greene King.”
It adds: “We intend to take action against Henry J and ask you to help us ‘name and shame’ him.
“Honest, genuine supporters – don’t let him damage your club. Anyone with any information can contact the club via email."