Post by leemerrifield on Nov 29, 2021 20:08:10 GMT
I am delighted to report that myself, Martin Higgins & Adam Tovey have reached agreement to acquire a majority stake in the club from current majority shareholders Tony Grant, Graham Bell & Ken Stewart.
Martin and Adam will join the Board plus I'll be returning as Finance Director having not been on the board for the last couple of years. We'll also be joined by some further new faces to boost the Board's prescence and share the load.
We have committed significant funds to immediately improve the playing budget with the aim of staying in the current division. We know it will be tough and we're also realistic enough to know we may be too late to save this season but we'll do all we can to try and maintain our status. However, this is a 4 year plan - and a 4 year commitment on our behalf - and therefore relegation won't derail our plans or support for the club.
Aside from a cash injection we're also looking to improve our commercial activities and income and have some plans already in mind - I think its clear to everyone that this is something we really need to be focussing on. Equally it's important that the club is sustainable going forward and not dependent on wealthy benefactors.
I would like to stress that James & Mark remain very much part of our plans, and have been part of the discussions from an early stage, and we hope to now provide them with the ammunition required to retain our current league status. It goes without saying though that your role as fans getting behind the club over the final 5 months of the season will be crucial - together we can do this!
I would also like to place on record my thanks to Tony Grant, Val Grant, Graham Bell & Ken Stewart for the time and effort (and not inconsiderable money) they have put into the club over the years. Without them the club simply wouldn't be at our new ground. They are part of the fabric of the club and its important to me and the new owners that they will remain involved going forward - this is very much a team effort blending the old with the new. However, they also acknowledge that there is more that needs to be done, certainly on the commercial side and that's why they've been very welcoming of our involvement.
I'm also conscious we need to be more open as a club (no more twitter bans) and endeavour to communicate with the fans better. You'll appreciate I can't provide a running commentary on everything (or answer every question posed - sorry Yogi!) and I do have a demanding full time job to juggle as well. But you have my word that I will update on here occasionally where appropriate.
We see great times ahead for the club - we have fantastic facilities and if we can get the commercial side working we can really go places as a club and as a starting point we want to compete with the teams around us on a level financial footing.
We also want to bring a cultural change that is open and friendly off the pitch but a bit more business-like in the board room - we plan to make the local teams sit up and take notice of us and we may even ruffle a few feathers! The plan is to disrupt and change the local non-league landscape ...and that process starts now.
Finally there will be a chance to meet the new Board members where we’ll provide a bit more detail on our plans and field any questions – Monday 13th December at 7pm.
Thanks for your support and come on you Maggies!
Lee Merrifield
Martin and Adam will join the Board plus I'll be returning as Finance Director having not been on the board for the last couple of years. We'll also be joined by some further new faces to boost the Board's prescence and share the load.
We have committed significant funds to immediately improve the playing budget with the aim of staying in the current division. We know it will be tough and we're also realistic enough to know we may be too late to save this season but we'll do all we can to try and maintain our status. However, this is a 4 year plan - and a 4 year commitment on our behalf - and therefore relegation won't derail our plans or support for the club.
Aside from a cash injection we're also looking to improve our commercial activities and income and have some plans already in mind - I think its clear to everyone that this is something we really need to be focussing on. Equally it's important that the club is sustainable going forward and not dependent on wealthy benefactors.
I would like to stress that James & Mark remain very much part of our plans, and have been part of the discussions from an early stage, and we hope to now provide them with the ammunition required to retain our current league status. It goes without saying though that your role as fans getting behind the club over the final 5 months of the season will be crucial - together we can do this!
I would also like to place on record my thanks to Tony Grant, Val Grant, Graham Bell & Ken Stewart for the time and effort (and not inconsiderable money) they have put into the club over the years. Without them the club simply wouldn't be at our new ground. They are part of the fabric of the club and its important to me and the new owners that they will remain involved going forward - this is very much a team effort blending the old with the new. However, they also acknowledge that there is more that needs to be done, certainly on the commercial side and that's why they've been very welcoming of our involvement.
I'm also conscious we need to be more open as a club (no more twitter bans) and endeavour to communicate with the fans better. You'll appreciate I can't provide a running commentary on everything (or answer every question posed - sorry Yogi!) and I do have a demanding full time job to juggle as well. But you have my word that I will update on here occasionally where appropriate.
We see great times ahead for the club - we have fantastic facilities and if we can get the commercial side working we can really go places as a club and as a starting point we want to compete with the teams around us on a level financial footing.
We also want to bring a cultural change that is open and friendly off the pitch but a bit more business-like in the board room - we plan to make the local teams sit up and take notice of us and we may even ruffle a few feathers! The plan is to disrupt and change the local non-league landscape ...and that process starts now.
Finally there will be a chance to meet the new Board members where we’ll provide a bit more detail on our plans and field any questions – Monday 13th December at 7pm.
Thanks for your support and come on you Maggies!
Lee Merrifield
