OXFORDSHIRE charities could benefit from any profit generated by the enforced sale of the Lord Nuffield Club.

The base of what used to be known as the Morris Motors Social and Athletic Club, in Cowley, has been put for sale after the club went into administration in July.

Administrator Jeremy Willmont, of London-based Moore Stephens, said once debts of more than £2m had been cleared, any surplus would be given to charity.

He said: “Rather than going to club members, I understand monies will be made available to charities.”

The 30,000 sq ft clubhouse, which cost £4.5m to build, was completed two years ago on a 4.6 acre site between Barracks Lane and Hollow Way.

Receivers were called in after utility company EDF cut off the supply following a disputed bill.

It is not known how much will be raised from the sale of the club – or which charities would benefit.

Meanwhile, club secretary Michael Kelly hit out at Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and council officials over the forced closure.

Mr Kelly has written Mr Smith saying: “We feel very strongly that had you and the [Oxford City] councillors shown any interest in the club then there was a very strong chance that it could have been saved for the community.

“The committee developed this community facility without any help from any other organisation and were also forced to give 30 per cent of the residential units for social housing at nil cost.

“This forced the club into taking a mortgage in excess of £2m.”

Mr Kelly said: “Politicians at all levels knew our plight but did not help. We had to hand over land worth £1.5m to the A2Dominion housing association. That money could have saved the club.”

But Mr Smith strongly denied the accusation.

The Labour MP said: “ I have strongly supported the club and believe the facilities they offer are important to Cowley. I gave a lot of help over VAT problems they faced in getting the club built.

“More recently I took up their plight with the city council and contacted their electricity supplier over a mix-up on their bill.”

Developer Eddie Costello, of Chesside Homes, acquired land from the club to build housing. In exchange he built the clubhouse, as a replacement for the premises provided by Lord Nuffield in the 1920s as a working men’s club.

No-one was available to comment last night from Oxford City Council.

ckoenig@oxfordmail.co.uk