ANOTHER club statement ...

[Panda Paws]

Further to the radio interviews given by Mike Wilkes yesterday morning and the subsequent press release issued by TrustSTFC, the Wills family and Club’s Board wish to make the following statement:

 

The continued reference to a Fans Consortium appears to be misleading given that Mr Wilkes is stating he has funding available from an unnamed backer, who we understand is American and not a fan of the club. Have the Trust been informed as to the identity of the proposed backer and if so, have they satisfied themselves as to their credentials? If they have not been provided with the identity of the backer or not checked their credentials the Club would have to ask the Trust why they are endorsing a potential bid with so little information.

 

Mr Wilkes has chosen to make his proposals, such as they are, through the media and no letter or offer document has been sent or provided to Sir Seton Wills. No evidence has been provided to the Wills family or to the Board to suggest there are sufficient funds available to buy the club and service its working capital requirements. The only document that Mr Wilkes has so far provided is a copy of a standard bank reference that does not identify the account holder and gives no indication of the funds being made available to the football club. It falls considerably short of the professional standards we would expect to be associated with a serious potential investor. With the permission of Mr Wilkes we would be prepared to release a copy of the letter to the media to underline our confidence in this opinion.

 

Furthermore no evidence has been provided to the Board, which suggests Mr Wilkes has, to quote the Trust Press Release, “the wherewithal and the business acumen to stabilise the business and take it forward.”

 

Contrary to the Trust’s claims that the Club is blocking negotiations and moving the goalposts the Wills family have consistently maintained they will discuss a prospective bid with any serious investor once they have presented their credentials and provided absolute proof of funds in a professional manner. Such proof of funds has to incorporate evidence of amounts that such a bidder is prepared to commit to the Club. We would expect that to be included in a formal offer document which would be presented to us, subject to due diligence.

 

Mr Wilkes continues to issue pre-conditions to negotiations regarding who and who cannot act on behalf of the Wills family in the construction of any deal. It is not for Mr Wilkes or any other group to dictate with whom they will engage in any discussions with the Club. Any deal agreed between the parties would be confirmed in contracts prepared by highly competent lawyers and designed to protect the interests of all concerned. This would be standard practice and obviate concerns Mr Wilkes has about the validity of any agreement.

 

It should be emphasised that the Wills family are not actively looking to sell the Club. However, they are willing to entertain a credible bid, which will secure its future and take it to the next level. In the meantime they have complete confidence in the current management team who are working closely with Paul Sturrock and his backroom staff to deliver success to The County Ground.

[flammableBen]

oooh, release one back mr. Trust. STATEMENT FIGHT.

[Batch]

Well they raise some good points I guess. Will be interested to see a response.

Surprised the investor is an American, can only guess they will be looking for an ROI through ground redevelopment which is fair enough.

[yeo]

Mr Wilkes continues to issue pre-conditions to negotiations regarding who and who cannot act on behalf of the Wills family in the construction of any deal. It is not for Mr Wilkes or any other group to dictate with whom they will engage in any discussions with the Club. Any deal agreed between the parties would be confirmed in contracts prepared by highly competent lawyers and designed to protect the interests of all concerned. This would be standard practice and obviate concerns Mr Wilkes has about the validity of any agreement.

Thats the point ive been trying to make in the other thread.

[Reg Smeeton]

So a short while after stating if we fans don't stop being beastly they'll walk, we're now told they don't want to sell.

[fatbury]

bit of a turn around isn it!

[Fred Elliot]

Contrary to the Trust’s claims that the Club is blocking negotiations and moving the goalposts the Wills family have consistently maintained they will discuss a prospective bid with any serious investor once they have presented their credentials and provided absolute proof of funds in a professional manner. Such proof of funds has to incorporate evidence of amounts that such a bidder is prepared to commit to the Club. We would expect that to be included in a formal offer document which would be presented to us, subject to due diligence.

Fucking exactly.

Thats what we have been trying to acheive.

meh !

 :roll:

[Samdy Gray]

What an absolute shambles.

It really annoys me that the board have to keep playing things out via the media when it would be much better if they did it all behind closed doors.

By making this statement the board are only fueling more hatred towards themselves and seriously jeopardising the future of our club. If they were serious about the future of STFC they'd cut all this crap, call Mike Wilkes, politely explain his original offer wasn't good enough and invite him to come and talk it over.

But alas, they obviously don't have the clubs best interests at heart if they want to drag out this whole saga.

[pauld]

Surprised the investor is an American

They're not

[deltaincline]

Contrary to the Trust’s claims that the Club is blocking negotiations and moving the goalposts the Wills family have consistently maintained they will discuss a prospective bid with any serious investor once they have presented their credentials and provided absolute proof of funds in a professional manner. Such proof of funds has to incorporate evidence of amounts that such a bidder is prepared to commit to the Club. We would expect that to be included in a formal offer document which would be presented to us, subject to due diligence.

Fucking exactly.

Thats what we have been trying to acheive.

meh !

 :roll:

What a load of tripe. Moving the goal posts once again and now wanting us to believe that the Wills don't really want to sell afteral.

They have adimitted that they don't have the money to keep going, yet now they don't want to sell. Well, they will either have to sell up, or invest more money to keep the place going. Simple.

I suggest that the consortium now rise above all this negative bollocks and don't reply to their childish statement, or send out another press release. Mike Wilkes and the consortium appear to have adequate funds in place - they have proved that to a reasonable standard that would be acceptable to most small business vendors - and are firmly in place to rescue the club from these disrespectful arseholes.

[Arriba]

maybe the board should spend their time more constructively.instead of wasting time on preparing statements.they should have got their arses down the bank and paid the facking cva installment.the money was there of course(or so yesterdays adver said) :-))(

[Batch]

Surprised the investor is an American

They're not

Hmmm, interesting. Are the games beginning or have the board been misinformed?

Ding ding. Round 1.

[pauld]

Surprised the investor is an American

They're not

Hmmm, interesting. Are the games beginning or have the board been misinformed?

Fuck knows where they got that from. Made it up, dreamt it, long lunch? Who knows with this lot?

[yeo]

hahah they are trying to scare us with talk of investment from the "new world"

[Samdy Gray]

Furthermore no evidence has been provided to the Board, which suggests Mr Wilkes has, to quote the Trust Press Release, “the wherewithal and the business acumen to stabilise the business and take it forward.”

I'd like to bring this to the clubs attention:

MBA at Hull University's business school

27 yrs experience in sales/marketing and National Service delivery strategies

That ok ?