Since making a reasoned offer to the Supporters Trust on Saturday morning I am still awaiting a formal reply as to whether the suggested way forward finds favour. I have received confirmation from the Trust that they will be meeting in due course to discuss the offer. I sincerely hope that a response is forthcoming quickly given the urgent need to resolve the differences between the Club and the Supporters Trust.

Given the continuing delays being encountered in the production of further documentation required, it is clear that the joint Planning Application for the Perdiswell scheme will not go to the Planning Committee in July 2016. The uncertainty generated by these continued delays together with the Shareholders rejection of the Supporters Trusts’ resolutions to last week’s General Meeting is highly damaging and the Club can only hope that these issues can be resolved in a timely and professional manner as a matter of urgency.

The rejection by Shareholders of the proposal that unsold shares in the Club are handed to the Trust has been the subject of considerable debate in the media. The Trust believes that the changes proposed by them would allow them to convert the Club to a Community Benefit Society, and thus attract a significant (but as yet unsubstantiated amount) of grant funding. They also believe that conversion will persuade the City Council to allocate the necessary land by way of a community asset transfer.

So that there is absolutely no doubt, the Board’s clear view is that it is keen to adopt a Community-based model and will be taking professional advice on the best model to adopt given the Club’s unique circumstances.

As part of its ongoing investigations, the Club has sought the advice of the City Council. During this process the Club has specifically asked the City Council for its view on the preferred model which would be most suited to facilitate a land transfer (Community asset transfer or otherwise) for the necessary land at Perdiswell. The Council has responded to this specific question as follows-:

"I think your reference to the preferred shape of the Club is in relation to what sort of business model would be appropriate for the Club. I don't think this is for the Council to comment on other than it being economically viable and suitable to deliver the objectives of the Club."

In other words, the future ownership model is not a factor which will influence the City Council to allocate the necessary land. Their only consideration is whether the Football Club can deliver a sustainable business plan for the future.

Given the City Council’s view on future ownership and the inability of Trust to make their cause to the majority of shareholders over some years now, to gift them the Club, the Directors of Worcester City Football Club have no choice but to represent the wishes of those majority shareholders and continue to put the best interests of the Club first.

There are constitutional changes which may find favour with shareholders and which could allow the Trust to begin to gather a portfolio of influence in the current Club and I have put these to the Supporters’ Trust for consideration.

I will await the Trusts response to the offer made on Saturday, at which point we can, hopefully move forward with some unity.

Anthony Hampson
Chairman – Worcester City Football Club Ltd