Sugar seeks winding-up of Venables company

LAWYERS acting for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and Alan Sugar were in the High Court yesterday seeking a compulsory winding-up order for Edennote, the company run by Terry Venables, who now manages the England team, writes David Hellier.

The court case took place, somewhat embarrassingly, on the same day that Mr Venables announced his squad for two England friendly internationals.

A judgment is expected this morning. Mr Venables' lawyers had previously been granted an adjournment on the grounds that the winding-up petition would be contested.

Tottenham is claiming legal costs of up to pounds 335,000 stemming from Mr Venables' unsuccessful action against the club last year after he was ousted as chief executive by Mr Sugar, the club's chairman.

The football club would like to see a liquidator appointed to Edennote, which is now a dormant company, to deal with its claim and the claims of other creditors.

Mr Sugar's lawyers said in court that they were unhappy about the creation of two charges by Edennote, one in favour of Mr Venables and one in favour of his solicitors, at around the time Mr Venables gave up his action against Tottenham.